Kochi: The Malayalam survival drama ‘2018: Everyone Is A Hero’, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, has been selected by the Film Federation of India as the country’s official entry to the Oscars. The film, the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time, raked in around Rs 200 crore at the box office.

The movie is set to compete in the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards. The decision was announced by filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, chairman of the FFI selection committee, in Chennai on Wednesday.

The movie, which stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Indrans, Asif Ali, Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali, among others, and set against the backdrop of the devastating 2018 floods in Kerala. It is learnt that the movie was selected as it deals with a global issue and documents the harrowing details of what a natural calamity means for the common people.

Its technical excellence and approach to storytelling distinguish the film, a tribute to the heroes who saved lives during the calamity.

The movie, produced by Venu Kunnappally, C K Padmakumar and Anto Joseph, was written by Akhil P Dharmajan and Jude Anthany. “Thank you, God. Thank You, Indian Cinema,” Jude Anthany said in a Facebook post soon after the film was chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars.

“For me, it is like winning an Oscar award. I am excited as I never expected this,” Jude Anthany said. He added, “The selection was also a recognition to the artists and technicians who dedicatedly worked for the movie.”

‘2018: Everyone Is A Hero’ is only the fourth Malayalam film after ‘Guru’ (1997), ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’ (2011) and ‘Jallikattu’ (2019) to be picked as India’s official submission to the Academy Awards.

The 96th Oscars is expected to be held in March in Los Angeles.