Pan Nalin is ecstatic at Chhello Show (2021), his evocative coming-of-age drama’s successful shot at the Oscars shortlist for 2023. It’s a validation of sorts for the filmmaker, whose film was mired in controversies until recently, with questions over its originality.

“We rejoiced when India announced The Last Film Show (title for Anglophone audiences) as its entry to the 95th Oscars. Voting members of the Academy have given their validation by officially shortlisting it in the Best International Films category; it is indeed a massive milestone in the history of Indian cinema. We have broken a two-decade-long jinx!” he beams.

While the film continues to make noise internationally, it gained Indian audiences’ attention only after it was chosen as India’s submission at the awards in September. Is that a reminder that we wait for international validation before recognizing a person or project’s potential?

“Sadly, yes. India can be very hard on movies that are without any stars, studios or streamers. The exhibition sector always underestimates Indian audiences, and the year 2022 has been a big proof of that. I have always believed that the audience is smarter than the filmmaker. If they are given the opportunity to watch films like Chhello Show, they will embrace it. But the film must come to a cinema near them,” he asserts.

The director feels that what has connected with people is that it was “pure entertainment” married with “top-notch production quality”. It is, Nalin says, “a film that not only inspires, but also celebrates the power of dreams. It’s a film about hope. It’s a film about light — as the world goes through many patches of darkness. And as our child-star Bhavin Rabari says, people around the world love our film because while watching, they first laugh, then they cry, and when the movie gets over, they feel hungry!”