Showing posts with label Chhello Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chhello Show. Show all posts
The Oscar Hustle: Calculations, campaigns and crores
9:40 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 21, 2026)
Insiders once associated with Harvey Weinstein have famously described Oscar campaigning as a “blood sport.” For Indian films, which largely compete in the International Feature Film category, entering this arena is a daunting challenge. The goal might be simple but what’s difficult to achieve is ensuring Academy members actually watch the film. As voters are not required to see every submission, visibility is everything, but it comes at a high price.
Karan Johar, who has backed the Oscar-shortlisted Homebound, recently highlighted the staggering financial and logistical hurdles involved, describing the campaign process as a “bottomless pit.” So what does it take to ace the Oscar campaign?
‘It’s about positioning the film in the minds of Academy members’
It’s the season of the Oscars – or rather, the season of the Oscar campaign trail. PR firms are hired. Strategists are deployed. Social media campaigns are organized. Several people work their phones to drum up support.
And it costs a lot. By some estimates, an Oscar campaign may cost even more than making the film.
Dheer Momaya, producer of Chhello Show, which was India’s official entry for Oscars and won shortlist nomination, says, “Running an Oscar campaign is one of the most challenging and misunderstood parts of filmmaking. People often call it lobbying, but it’s really about positioning a film in the minds of Academy members and, most importantly, getting them to actually watch it and vote for it.”
He explains, “That requires a sophisticated strategy and usually multiple publicist separately for North America, UK and Europe, each organising high-profile screenings at premium venues. In Los Angeles alone a single screening at places like the Ross House can cost $50–60,000, the Four Seasons around $30–40,000, and then there are events at Soho House in London or MoMA in New York. Beyond screenings, there is an enormous advertising push. Full-page ads in the LA Times, The New York Times, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, and often billboards on Sunset Boulevard targeted directly at voters.”
‘AN OSCAR WIN UNLOCKS LONG-TERM VALUE FOR THE IP AND GLOBAL VISIBILITY.’
The campaign run can be one expensive marathon for the film. “It’s not unusual for the campaign to cost more than the film itself,” shares Dheer, adding, “Neon reportedly spent around $20 million on Anora when the film cost about $5–6 million, and Apple invested a similar amount for CODA. Distributors do this because an Oscar win unlocks long-term value for the IP and global visibility. Each branch of the Academy, directors, writers, editors has to be engaged separately, especially when competing in multiple categories. I saw this firsthand with Last Film Show; we were up against Netflix titles like Bardo and All Quiet On The Western Front, with campaigns well over $10 million, flying teams across continents for Q&As from Tokyo to Los Angeles. It’s exhilarating, but it’s also an expensive marathon few people truly see from the outside.”
So many expensive campaigns (including Paheli, Gully Boy, Peepli Live/Taare Zameen Par, all from huge banners) did not make it, even though they spent money. Producers say that however, it’s not just about the money, the film has to actually resonate with the academy voter base.
You don’t have to rely on screenings. What you rely on is the buzz: Kiran Rao
Screenings are crucial for the buzz they create, far beyond just getting eyes on the screen, said Kiran Rao in an interview last year. “Everyone’s films are now online. You don’t have to rely on screenings. What you rely on is the buzz. The multitude of online viewing options means it’s still easy for some films to be overlooked. The sound surrounding it has to be pretty loud. Back then, screenings were the only option, and you relied on word-of-mouth to get people to come. You do screenings regardless of the fact that your film is available online,” she explains.
Oscars are an American awards, you have to work with American distributors: Guneet Monga
Guneet Monga explained to us in 2023 when The Elephant Whisperers won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film, “I’ve been trying to articulate and explain for so many years that you have to get into that country’s distribution. It’s important to select films with US distribution because hum log jo wahan ja kar campaign karte hain, at that time, we have like 40 or 30 days for the campaign. In 30 days, you can’t learn the market and ace it, right? Woh campaign khatam ho jata hai, and by the end, every filmmaker is like achha, ab humein samajh aaya karna kya hai. It’s basically American awards, so you have to work with American distributors. It’s the core of it. Lagaan got nominated (for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards) because Sony Pictures Classics did the campaign with Aamir. And The Lunchbox would have been nominated agar India select karta, the film would have gone far. And if we do good campaigns, hum paanch saal mein nominate bhi ho jayenge, jeet bhi jayenge. But as of now, we don’t do good campaigns. With Period: End of Sentence and The Elephant Whisperers, we had an American distributor.”
Main work is to get the members of the Foreign Language committee to watch: Aamir Khan
Ensuring that your film doesn’t get overlooked is key, said Aamir in an interview last year. “There are separate committees for the foreign language category and for the documentary category. The (Academy’s) entire membership doesn’t get involved. Roughly 600 to 800 people sign up to watch these films and then vote. Your main work is to get the members of the Foreign Language committee to watch your film. Given that voters are only required to watch 80% of the submissions, ensuring your film doesn’t get overlooked is a critical part of the process,” he explained.
How strategists pitch films for Oscars
- Awards campaigns often rely heavily on statistics and timing narratives rather than just performances or films. Negative narratives are also a part of the strategies
- As The New York Times notes, narratives don’t always work, but the right one can overpower a bad film.
- Strong personal or comeback narratives can outweigh weak or poorly reviewed films, as seen with Brendan Fraser’s nomination for The Whale.
Who runs Oscar campaigns
Oscar campaigns are often run by professional strategists. In Hollywood, sometimes their work starts a year before the award ceremony. These strategists advise where a film should premiere, what should be the campaign platform.
According to an NYT report, "Sometimes several strategists work on a single film, and the war room of an Oscars campaign can grow to be as many as 10 or 20 people.”
The primary reason for Laapataa Ladies getting picked is Aamir Khan’s previous record with Lagaan-Varun Grover
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Getting nominated for an Oscar is not just about having a universal story, but also about having the funds to campaign for it
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 29, 2024)
In a year filled with heavyweights, it was Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies that emerged as India’s official entry to the 2025 Oscars. Unfolding in the heart of rural India, this film is a commentary on patriarchy, which juxtaposes humour with deep societal critique. With a backdrop of dusty Madhya Pradesh villages and real-life locales, the film captures the essence of a lost India, where women disappear—figuratively and literally—amid the chaos of cultural expectations.
When the Film Federation Of India revealed that Laapataa Ladies would carry the nation’s hopes at the Academy Awards, cinephiles cheered—but not everyone was convinced. Selected from 29 films, including Animal, Kalki 2898 AD, and All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL), the victory was both sweet and surprising. While many celebrated Rao’s comeback and the film’s understated brilliance, others couldn’t help but voice their discontent over what they saw as missed opportunities. Fans of All We Imagine As Light, a Cannes sensation, took to social media in droves. The Payal Kapadia-starrer is considered to be one that has a real shot at Oscars. Their argument? That Laapataa Ladies, while charming, lacks the international appeal of its more polished competitors.
Celebrated writer Varun Grover tweeted, “I mean it was expected that the chaaploos mandali (who can’t even write a citation with any attention to detail or meaning) will never select a film by someone who has questioned their authority. And, it’s still heartbreaking. We rarely get such a strong contender as AWIAL. At the same time, happy for Kiran Rao and her team. They made a sensitive, progressive, rooted film told beautifully through a new set of actors (and a hate-speecher)—and totally deserve a shot at glory. Best wishes to them. Jai Ho!”
While Grover didn’t wish to elaborate on the subject beyond this tweet, an indie favourite filmmaker tells us: “It’s undeniable that AWIAL was a stronger contender and should have been picked. The primary reason for this getting picked is Aamir Khan’s previous record with Lagaan. His ability to get visibility increases his chances of actually bringing home the Oscar.”
Laapataa Ladies was a unanimous decision, Jahnu Barua, the head of the Federation, told us. He told mid-day, “The film resonated deeply with us because it brings forward global social issues that are rarely explored on screen. As jurors, we want to select a film that has the best chance of making it into the Oscar nominations. The jury did deliberate over the AWIAL. It’s a significant work that deserves attention, especially since there were high expectations surrounding it. However, we felt that there were technical aspects that could have been stronger. When selecting a film for the Oscars, many factors come into play. While the subject was undeniably powerful, and Payal has crafted it beautifully, we ultimately had to make a tough choice. We wish we could have chosen both.”
So what is one looking for while choosing India’s entry to the Oscars? We asked Pan Nalin about his film Last Film Show (also known as Chhello Show) which beat RRR to get chosen as India’s official entry, much to the horror of fans.
Nalin said, “In our case, it was a complete surprise. You know, we were not even sure that we would ever get selected. The buzz in India was of very big, popular films. But when it comes to Oscars, it’s not really about popularity, but the film which will speak to the members of the academy in the US. So, from that point of view, I guess they must have voted for us. And once we become an entry, it’s a big work, you know, we need to do as a producer and director. It’s really huge work. You know, you need to mount a massive campaign in Hollywood. You need to organize quite a lot of screening for the members of the Academy. So, in our time, there were, for example, 102 films from 102 different countries. And the first round of voting leaves 15 film shortlist nominations. So, we were shortlisted. Voting is done purely by the Academy. India has no role to play there. All the academy members have to watch the film in order to vote. When we got shortlisted, you know, it was after a 21-year gap. Before that, the film which got shortlisted was Lagaan and went on to get the nomination. Our journey stopped there. And we also realized a couple of things while we were doing the campaign. Because we had no idea, we were learning as we were running the campaign for India. When the Oscar shortlist is announced, it’s actually the map of each country shown in the Academy screen. So, it’s neither the director nor the film. It’s actually you who is representing a country. You are representing a flag when you go there. The film was luckily very heavily appreciated. We were invited at the Academy to do multiple screenings. But where we lacked is time and money. Because you do need a lot of funds, you know, to mark the campaign. And advertising in international media and the US media is really expensive. The billboards alone are costly and you need to really have a great campaign. In the past five years, the publicity campaign has become aggressive and expensive. It’s very much like an election. You have to really make sure that every vote is earned. And the only way to earn a vote is maximum people have to see your film, who are the members of the academy.”
Nalin says the jury is looking for a universal story. “It is important because we were already acquired by an American distributor called Samuel Goldwyn Films. The fact that it speaks to an international audience is a plus. It is a gamble that must speak to international jury and voting committee members of the academy. The film has to be universal to start with because most of the Academy members are American, you know, I would say almost 85 per cent of them. Since the past 15 years, it has been very inclusive. Lots of foreign country members are being invited who are in the Academy. Now, I am a voting member as well. We know that if we had the right amount of funds and time, we would have gone much further in the campaign. But we had no example to fall upon. We had no master class to learn something from other examples. Because none of the films from India had made it up to that in 20 years, since Lagaan. It makes sense that Aamir Khan has a shot at this again. Laapataa has a chance to make it.”
The one element connecting the two films is Chhaya Kadam—who appears as Manju Mai in Rao’s film and is currently in France for the premiere of AWIAL.
She told us, “I’m absolutely thrilled and overjoyed! It’s such a proud moment for me to see Laapataa Ladies chosen as India’s official Oscar entry. At the same time, I’m in Paris for the premiere of All We Imagine As Light, which has been shortlisted by France as a possible submission for the 2025 Oscars. It’s truly exciting to have both films recognized on an international stage.” Is there a chance for AWIAL still? “I would have wanted to see them both at the Oscars. It might still happen,” she said optimistically.
Nandini Ramnath, film critic, Scroll.in, tells us choosing the best pick is a tough choice regardless, because of the diversity of the films being made.
“A few factors work in the favour of Laapataa Ladies: it has Aamir Khan as one of three producers; he has had previous experience with Lagaan; Laapataa Ladies is easily available to the Academy voters by virtue of already being on Netflix all over the world. I have watched both films. They are very different. Laapataa Ladies is a sweet modern-day fairy tale told in a realistic manner. All We Imagine As Light is a textured exploration of the shades of feminine desire and a quest for meaning. Given the current tendency of the Oscars to be more receptive to all kinds of storytelling styles from around the world, rather than just a certain kind of global-local international film, Payal Kapadia’s feature debut would have been an excellent contender too, especially given its Cannes award. Movies speak differently to different sets of viewers. What works at a film festival often doesn’t work for the Oscar voters. In general, films that can communicate their themes well and have layers in their plotting, performances and filmmaking language can travel to any corner of the world, regardless of the theme.”
When we asked her how she thinks politics and personal biases play into the selection process for India’s Oscar entries, Ramnath has the last word, “I think it fair to say that the Film Federation of India, for all its drawbacks, has been trying to keep away from political choices. If that were the case, the jury would have picked a propaganda film.”
Everyone knew RRR had a bigger chance than Chhello-S S Rajamouli
8:13 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (January 19, 2022)
Ahead of his Best Foreign Film and Best Song win for Naatu Naatu at the 28th edition of the Critics Choice Awards, Rajamouli spoke to international publication Hollywood Reporter about RRR’s dream run at the Hollywood awards season so far (which includes the New York Film Critics Circle Award for the Best Director and a Best Original Song – Motion Picture Golden Globe for Naatu Naatu).
When asked if it was frustrating or disappointing to learn the film would not be India’s official Oscar entry, Rajamouli told the publication, “Yeah, it is disappointing. But we are not the kind of people who would sit and brood on why it didn’t happen. What has happened has happened and we should go forward with it. But I am happy because it (Chhello Show) is also an Indian film and it has also been shortlisted for Oscars. I’m quite happy for it. Of course, everyone knew RRR had a much bigger chance. Here (in the US) everyone felt RRR had a bigger chance.”
‘NOT SELECTING THE LUNCHBOX AS INDIA’S OSCAR ENTRY IN 2013 WAS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY LOST’
Rajamouli was also asked about The Lunchbox (2013), which wasn’t submitted for International Feature (at Oscars) either, despite many speculating that it was the sure-shot winner that year, and his view on the process of selection of India’s official entries.
The director said, “I don’t know how the committee (Film Federation of India aka FFI – which selects India’s Oscar entry), or the guidelines of the committee...how they do the stuff. I don’t know that and I can’t comment on it. What I really feel bad about for is The Lunchbox. For me...I don’t make films for critical acclaim. I make films for money, I make films for the audiences, it (RRR) is a commercial film, and once my film commercially does well, I’m very happy with it. And Awards are an extension to it. It is for the hard work that my unit put in and I’m happy for that. But for The Lunchbox, it is different. It is different and it would have been a great achievement for India – and it is not just for The Lunchbox – but for many many filmmakers and many, many films (that) would find encouragement to tell their stories to the world. So that’s a huge opportunity lost. I feel very bad for that.”
When asked if he thought RRR’s many wins will make the committee rethink its selection process, Rajamouli replied, “Hopefully”.
Qualified, Nominated, Eligible, Shortlisted: When it’s time to acknowledge and when it’s time to applaud in case of Oscars
8:23 AM
A host of Indian films are eligible for nomination, but there is still some distance to go before the big night. Confused about what’s what? Read on
BOMBAY TIMES (January 13, 2023)
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released its list of films eligible for the Oscars, the Indian social media space was atwitter — there were several desi productions on the list. Soon messages of congratulations for the ‘shortlisted’, ‘qualified’ and ‘nominated’ films started pouring in, and the artistes associated with these projects started giving media bytes.
However, along with all this backslapping, there was a growing murmur of confusion — where was this nomination list/shortlist that these films were supposedly on? Online, celebration and confusion co-existed and continue to do so. Few cine buffs and fans were acquainted with the nuances that differentiated qualification, nomination and shortlisting.
Those who took the time to search soon got a clearer picture — over 10 Indian productions, along with 290 other films, were ‘eligible’ for nominations for Oscars. That’s all.
WHAT IS ‘ELIGIBLE’? HOW DID THE ACADEMY CHOOSE THESE 301 FILMS?
Technically, this list of films is called the Reminder List, and being a part of it just means that a film can officially compete in various categories, but merely featuring in it does not guarantee a spot in the final nominations list. The Academy has some criteria to decide if a film can be deemed eligible for an Oscar nomination.
According to Monday’s press announcement, “To be eligible for consideration under rules implemented for the 95th Academy Awards year, feature films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in at least one of six US metropolitan areas: Los Angeles County; the City of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia, between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, and complete a minimum qualifying run of seven consecutive days in the same venue. Feature films must have a running time of more than 40 minutes (sic).”
There are several other criteria that the films need to fulfil to be considered for an Oscars nomination. A host of Indian feature films have met these criteria – RRR, Kantara, Iravin Nizhal, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Me Vasantrao, The Kashmir Files, Chhello Show, The Next Morning, and Vikrant Rona. Documentaries All That Breathes by Shaunak Sen and Kartiki Gonsalves’ The Elephant Whisperers are also part of the list.
So what about the actors named in the list? According to Academy rules, for every film that makes it to the Reminder List, up to ten actors and actresses from it are eligible for nomination. This does not, however, mean any of these actors have individually made the nomination cut at the Oscars for their performance.
The Academy members began voting on January 12 to decide the nominees for each category. The nominations will be announced on January 24. After that, in a second round of voting, the members will pick the winners.
INDIAN FILMS THAT HAVE MADE IT TO THE OSCARS SHORTLIST SO FAR
It’s not that no films have made it to the Oscars shortlist yet. The Academy announced the shortlist for 10 categories just before Christmas and four Indian films are in contention – probably a first! These are Chhello Show (International Film), the RRR song Naatu Naatu (Original Song), All That Breathes (Documentary Feature) and The Elephant Whisperers (Documentary Short). Making it to the shortlist is the first step towards grabbing a nomination for the big night in March. Let’s wait for that!
‘NOT ALL AWARD CATEGORIES HAVE SHORTLISTS, MANY JUST HAVE THE FINAL NOMINATION LIST’
An industry expert told us, “Not all categories at the Oscars have shortlists. Final nominations for categories like Best Film, Best Actor (Male and Female) for instance, will be directly announced on January 24. All the entries that meet the criteria of submission are eligible or are up for consideration in these categories and they all comprise the ‘REMINDER LIST’. RRR, Kantara, Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files, Me Vasantrao and Tuzhya Sathi Kahi Hi, Rocketry : The Nambi Effect, Iravin Nizhal, and Vikrant Rona all feature on the Oscar Reminder List. This list will also have a Top Gun: Maverick or Avatar: The Way Of Water or Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Kantara to Gangubai Kathiawadi: Here are the Indian films eligible for Oscar nominations
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BOMBAY TIMES (January 11, 2022)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday that 301 feature films are eligible for nominations for the 95th Oscars in its annual reminder list. Among the Indian feature films in it are RRR, Kantara and Gangubai Kathiawadi, besides the documentaries All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers. The list only mentions the films ‘eligible’ for Oscars. A film’s inclusion in it does not guarantee that it will advance to the nominations list.
From the Indian films listed in it, in the shortlist for 10 categories unveiled in December, Chhello Show made it to the best international film segment, while Naatu Naatu from RRR found a place in the original song category. All That Breathes was included in the documentary feature shortlist and The Elephant Whisperers in the documentary short category.
The 9,579 eligible voting members will begin filling out their ballots on Thursday, January 12 and ballots will close on January 17. The official Oscar nominations will be announced January 24, with the ceremony airing live on March 12 from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY’S REMINDER LIST OF PRODUCTIONS ELIGIBLE FOR OSCARS?
The reminder list includes all the films that are eligible to compete in various categories whether those films are official submissions from the country or not. Inclusion in the reminder list does not guarantee that the film will advance in the nominations list which will be announced on January 24.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (January 11, 2022)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has come out with a list of 301 feature films eligible for Oscars, and last year’s Indian films RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files (TKF) and Kantara, have made the cut. The list includes films that can officially compete in various categories. But featuring in the list doesn’t guarantee that the film will make it to the final nominations that will be announced on January 24.
Filmmaker Pan Nalin’s Chhello Show (2021), India’s official Oscars entry, also features in the list. Other 2022 releases include Me Vasantrao, Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Iravin Nizhal and Vikrant Rona, and documentaries All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers. Among the listed films, Chhello Show, RRR, All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers have already made it to the Oscars shortlist for four categories.
TKF director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri tweeted, “#TheKashmirFiles has been shortlisted for #Oscars2023 in the first list of @TheAcademy. It’s one of the 5 films from India. I wish all of them very best. A great year for Indian cinema. (sic).”
India can be very hard on movies that are without any stars, studios or streamers-Pan Nalin
8:09 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 26, 2022)
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!”
Instead of celebrating and campaigning in USA, we were busy fighting trolling-Pan Nalin
8:31 AM
Director vindicated as Chhello Show, which had faced backlash in India, makes it to Oscars’ shortlist; says people’s opinion changed after seeing film
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 23, 2022)
Unbridled joy, and vindication — that’s what Pan Nalin felt as Chhello Show (Last Film Show) was shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category at the 95th Academy Awards, on Thursday. The road to here hasn’t been easy. When the semi-autobiographical film about a nine-year-old’s movie dreams was selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars, in September, the director’s joy was short-lived as the choice faced severe backlash.
“That moment soon turned sad [as we faced] baseless allegations, and trolling. The worst was the cyber attack prior to our film’s release. My team was threatened with warnings: ‘Oscars mein se film nikaal, nahin toh achcha nahin hoga’. Instead of celebrating and campaigning in the US, we were busy fighting this [vitriol] for three to four weeks,” recounts Nalin.
Many then felt that S S Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR deserved to be submitted as India’s entry over the Gujarati film chosen by the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury. The director says that the tide started turning after Chhello Show was released in theatres, and subsequently, streamed on Netflix.
“When the Indian audience, film critics and industry folks finally watched the movie, they could not stop themselves from falling in love with it. In the end, the power of cinema won,” he beams.
At the Oscars, Chhello Show will compete with 14 other movies — including South Korea’s Decision To Leave, Belgium’s Close, and Germany’s All Quiet on the Western Front — to advance to the nominations. Producers Siddharth Roy Kapur and Dheer Momaya intend to amp up the film’s campaign by organising numerous screenings. “We must continue showing the film, and hope to [take it] to the next stage,” says Momaya.
The Academy members seem to have deeply connected with the movie. Kapur says, “It takes people back to that first moment of wonder, when they [first] watched a movie. Also, in a land of more than a billion dreams, this boy is so resilient [about] achieving his dream. People are taking back that sense of hope.”
Also in the Oscars 2023 race
- Naatu Naatu from RRR has been shortlisted for the Best Original Song.
- All That Breathes, which focuses on Delhi’s air pollution, is in the running for the Best Documentary.
- The Elephant Whisperers, revolving around an Indian couple and a baby elephant, is shortlisted for the Best Documentary Short Film.
Siddharth Roy Kapur and Pan Nalin
RRR, Chhello Show, All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers shortlisted for Oscars
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Naatu Naatu, Chhello Show, All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers will compete with 14 contenders for a spot in the final list
BOMBAY TIMES (December 23, 2022)
India’s official entry to the upcoming Oscars Chhello Show, documentary feature All That Breathes, documentary short The Elephant Whisperers, and the song Naatu Naatu from RRR have made it to the 95th Academy Awards shortlist.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists in 10 categories, including documentary feature film, documentary short film, international feature film, makeup and hairstyling and music, among others.
While Chhello Show is part of the international feature film shortlist, Naatu Naatu appears on the music (original song) shortlist. All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers are included in the shortlists of documentary feature and documentary short segments, respectively. There are 15 contenders in the shortlists of each of these four categories.
The nominations for the 95th Academy Awards will be announced on January 24, while the Oscars ceremony will be held on March 12, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the Academy Awards for the third time.
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (December 23, 2022)
Indian cinema is shining in the nominations list for the Academy Awards. India’s official Oscars 2023 entry, Chhello Show, the documentary feature All That Breathes, documentary short The Elephant Whisperers and the song Naatu Naatu from RRR have made it to the 95th Academy Awards shortlist, the organisers announced on Thursday morning.
Naatu Naatu was shortlisted in the Best Original Song category, while Chhello Show made it to the International Feature Film list. All That Breathes is in the Documentary Feature Film category and The Elephant Whisperers is in the Documentary Short Film category.
Meanwhile, the makers of Kantara have also sent in their entry. “We have submitted our application for Oscars for Kantara and have our fingers crossed as the final nominations are yet to come,” producer Vijay Kiragandur told India Today.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 747
10:16 AM
10 FILM RELEASES THIS WEEK; ONLY DUBBED KANNADA FILM HAS CHANCE TO SUCCEED
The pre-Diwali week has always been a dry period for movies as people are busy with shopping, house cleaning and other such activities. Yet, this Friday, as many as ten major films will be released in theatres. Sadly, 9 out of these 10 movies stand little chance to excel, though the two major Hindi releases might surprise if the content is strong.
DOCTOR G: It stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rakul Preet Singh and Shefali Shah and is a story of a reluctant gynaecologist. It is right up Ayushmann’s alley as it speaks about a taboo topic in a light-hearted manner. However, unlike other films of Ayushmann Khurrana, Doctor G is an adult-rated film. In fact, this is his first A-rated film ever! This and minimal hype will result in poor collections on day 1, in the range of around Rs. 70 lakhs-Rs. 1 crore. The collections might get better if public reports are positive.
CODE NAME TIRANGA: After The Girl In The Train, Parineeti Chopra and director Ribhu Dasgupta reunite once again for this spy thriller. The film was shot in secrecy during the second wave, in Turkey. The trailer did surprise many as no one expected it to be such a slick action film. But the promotions have been poor and on the ground, many are not even aware that it’s releasing tomorrow. Hence, its opening will be poor, in the range of Rs. 50 lakhs. The ticket prices in most cinemas are a maximum Rs. 150 and it might help to a small extent.
KANTARA: It is originally a Kannada film which released in cinemas on September 30 and became a surprise blockbuster. Even in a city like Mumbai, it did well. This prompted the producers, Hombale Films of KGF fame, to dub the film in Hindi. There’s already a lot of hype and curiosity surrounding this movie. Hence, it might take the best opening tomorrow. Just like Code Name Tiranga, Kantara’s Hindi version will also have tickets priced at Rs. 150.
CHHELLO SHOW (LAST FILM SHOW): It is a Gujarati film which is India’s official entry to the Oscars. It has some chances in Gujarat and Mumbai city. The makers have released the film in 95 screens and on Friday, they have priced the tickets for just Rs. 95! During the rest of the week, one can watch this film for just Rs. 150.
AYE ZINDAGI: It stars Revathy, Satyajeet Dubey and Mrinmayee Godbole. Revathy has also directed the movie which is inspired by a touching true incident. It’s a very niche movie and will find few takers sadly. On Book My Show, one can get one ticket free on every ticket. Since the offer hasn’t been promoted well, not many are aware.
MODI JI KI BETI: The concept of this film is very interesting. But due to the absence of a popular star cast, it’ll sink without a trace.
That’s not all. Love You Loktantra, Jaggu Ki Lalten, Kahani Rubber Band Ki and Mid Day Meeal will also hit cinemas and these films will struggle to find an audience.
The pre-Diwali week has always been a dry period for movies as people are busy with shopping, house cleaning and other such activities. Yet, this Friday, as many as ten major films will be released in theatres. Sadly, 9 out of these 10 movies stand little chance to excel, though the two major Hindi releases might surprise if the content is strong.
DOCTOR G: It stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rakul Preet Singh and Shefali Shah and is a story of a reluctant gynaecologist. It is right up Ayushmann’s alley as it speaks about a taboo topic in a light-hearted manner. However, unlike other films of Ayushmann Khurrana, Doctor G is an adult-rated film. In fact, this is his first A-rated film ever! This and minimal hype will result in poor collections on day 1, in the range of around Rs. 70 lakhs-Rs. 1 crore. The collections might get better if public reports are positive.
CODE NAME TIRANGA: After The Girl In The Train, Parineeti Chopra and director Ribhu Dasgupta reunite once again for this spy thriller. The film was shot in secrecy during the second wave, in Turkey. The trailer did surprise many as no one expected it to be such a slick action film. But the promotions have been poor and on the ground, many are not even aware that it’s releasing tomorrow. Hence, its opening will be poor, in the range of Rs. 50 lakhs. The ticket prices in most cinemas are a maximum Rs. 150 and it might help to a small extent.
KANTARA: It is originally a Kannada film which released in cinemas on September 30 and became a surprise blockbuster. Even in a city like Mumbai, it did well. This prompted the producers, Hombale Films of KGF fame, to dub the film in Hindi. There’s already a lot of hype and curiosity surrounding this movie. Hence, it might take the best opening tomorrow. Just like Code Name Tiranga, Kantara’s Hindi version will also have tickets priced at Rs. 150.
CHHELLO SHOW (LAST FILM SHOW): It is a Gujarati film which is India’s official entry to the Oscars. It has some chances in Gujarat and Mumbai city. The makers have released the film in 95 screens and on Friday, they have priced the tickets for just Rs. 95! During the rest of the week, one can watch this film for just Rs. 150.
AYE ZINDAGI: It stars Revathy, Satyajeet Dubey and Mrinmayee Godbole. Revathy has also directed the movie which is inspired by a touching true incident. It’s a very niche movie and will find few takers sadly. On Book My Show, one can get one ticket free on every ticket. Since the offer hasn’t been promoted well, not many are aware.
MODI JI KI BETI: The concept of this film is very interesting. But due to the absence of a popular star cast, it’ll sink without a trace.
That’s not all. Love You Loktantra, Jaggu Ki Lalten, Kahani Rubber Band Ki and Mid Day Meeal will also hit cinemas and these films will struggle to find an audience.
Chhello Show actor Rahul Koli no more
8:36 AM
Rahul Koli (centre) in a still from Chhello Show
Abhimanyu Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; October 12, 2022)
The entire cast and crew of the film Chhello Show (The Last Show) was on cloud nine when it was selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars. However, life had its own cruel plans in store as Rahul Koli, one of the seven child artistes in the film, succumbed to leukemia just days before the film’s nationwide theatrical release.
The film’s director Pan Nalin, who worked closely with Rahul, said that the child actor was an “absolute livewire” on the sets with an inquisitive mind who wanted to learn everything about cinematic lighting. Son of an autorickshaw driver, Rahul wanted to travel to Mumbai to learn about filmmaking. A devastated Pan talks to us about “the boy with immense talent,” how his sparkling eyes made Rahul the most loved actor on the sets and more. Excerpts:
‘WE STILL HAVEN’T COME TO TERMS WITH THIS DEVASTATING LOSS’
Almost 3,000 kids auditioned for different roles in the film and the moment we saw Rahul, we knew he was the one. He had these amazing sparkling eyes that caught our attention, and he turned out to be an amazing find. Everyone loved him as he was very inquisitive about the process of filmmaking, especially cinematic lighting. He wanted to pursue it and even expressed his desire to go to Mumbai and learn more about it. We told him that once he grows up, he could come and fulfil his desires. But destiny had other plans. It is a devastating blow to the entire cast and crew. Rahul had developed such a strong bond with each one of us that we are yet to come to terms with the fact that he is no more with us.
‘THE ENTIRE TEAM WAS SUPPORTING RAHUL’S FAMILY DURING HIS TREATMENT’
During the shooting of the film, we all became like one big family. So, when we came to know about Rahul’s condition, it came as a natural response from all of us to extend our support in whichever way possible. His father is an autorickshaw driver, who had to mortgage his rickshaw for his treatment. So, we put together some money and first got his rickshaw back so that he could at least continue earning his livelihood.
That apart, we all pitched in financially whenever we could for the treatment, medicines, and blood tests. Our producer and I helped Rahul and his family to shift to Ahmedabad from his village Hapa, so that he could get the best treatment. We constantly kept in touch with the doctors in Ahmedabad so that we knew how Rahul was responding to treatment. We did everything that we could to help him.
‘WE WILL ORGANISE A SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE FILM FOR HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS’
Rahul has done amazing work in the film and we want his family and friends to see what a brilliant actor he was. We are planning to organize a special screening for them. Since Rahul’s family has requested us not to organize any such event till the 13-day mourning period is over, we want to respect their feelings and go ahead only when they give us their consent. We understand that they must be going through an emotionally tough time right now. We are with them in this moment of grief.
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As news of child artiste losing battle against cancer surfaces, team of India’s official Oscar entry grieves
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 12, 2022)
A pall of gloom has engulfed the team of the Gujarati film Chhello Show (2021), as news about child actor Rahul Koli losing his battle against blood cancer surfaced recently. Koli was one of the six child actors in the film. The 15-year-old passed away on October 2.
Now, the makers of the film, which is India’s official entry for the best international feature film category at the 95th Academy Awards, are planning to set up a trust in his honour. It will help his family as well as children battling blood cancer.
“There are no words to express the grief that the team is feeling right now. We were like a family. I had several scenes with Rahul, with a lot of running sequences. There were no symptoms of blood cancer. We got to know about it some months ago, and we were all disturbed,” actor Dipen Raval tells us.
He adds, “Aaj humari ek aankh mein khushi ke aansu hain ki Oscar buzz hai aur doosri aankh mein Rahul ko khone ke gham ke aansu hain. The film will be a tribute to him.”
A source shares that ever since the film’s director, Pan Nalin, found out about Koli’s condition, he took “care of all the financial expenses during the treatment in Jamnagar (Gujarat)”. The source adds, “Rahul’s doctors called Nalin every day to share his health updates. It is heartbreaking that the film’s release date, October 14, coincides with the 13th day after Rahul’s death.”
When other nations were preparing filmmakers for Oscars, we were dealing with backlash-Pan Nalin
8:28 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 7, 2022)
Much has been said since the Gujarati film Chhello Show (The Last Film Show) by Pan Nalin was chosen as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category of the 95th Academy Awards. The Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has demanded the film’s selection for the Oscars be reversed and alleged that it is a rip-off of the 1988 Oscar-winning film Cinema Paradiso. This is in addition to fans being furious that it was picked over RRR. The director has stated that he is “disappointed by his industry peers’ lack of support”.
Along with congratulatory messages, the news was also met with backlash, including people getting upset over RRR not being picked...
I was disheartened. We have done zero lobbying. Many people think whatever is most popular is going to get an Oscar. If they Googled, they would know what the trend is in terms of international films. I knew other fellow filmmakers from other countries, where they were being celebrated and preparing to go for Oscars, and meanwhile, we were dealing with this backlash.
What do you have to say to people who say it is not an Indian film?
I wondered how it came about. My cinematographer is from Maharashtra, chief assistant director is from Himachal Pradesh, others are from Kerala, Mumbai and Gujarat, etc. Maybe it was misinterpreted because we have a foreign sales agent.
Your film is facing accusations of being a copy...
I guess if anyone decides to make a film about their love for cinema, it might look like Cinema Paradiso, but there will be many other things to it. I request people to watch the film before coming to a conclusion.
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Producer’s take
Producer of the film, Sidharth Roy Kapur, has reacted to the allegations levelled by FWICE, “I think we should look at the future since we’re representing India now and we’ve been selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI). We’re honoured and privileged to be given the responsibility to represent our country. Film is such a subjective medium, and everyone will have an opinion on it, nothing is black or white. There’s a jury that was put together and they selected us. We will do our best to bring glory to the country, that’s where I’d like to leave it. It is a free country and everyone is entitled to an opinion,” he told The Indian Express.
Chhello Show Oscar row: FWICE delegation to visit I&B Minister to appeal for reversal of decision
7:48 AM
Days after Chhello Show is announced as India’s official entry for Academy Awards, FWICE delegation to visit I&B Minister to appeal for reversal of decision; claims film doesn’t satisfy nomination criteria
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 30, 2022)
Last week, the selection of Pan Nalin’s Chhello Show as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards took many by surprise. It came as a blow to cinephiles who thought India would have a shot at winning the golden statuette this time with SS Rajamouli’s RRR — the magnum opus has not only been among the biggest hits of the year so far, but has also gone on to find fans in Hollywood and international markets. Vivek Agnihotri’s 'The Kashmir Files', too was said to be a frontrunner.
Now, mid-day has learnt that a delegation from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) will visit Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, soon to appeal for the reversal of the decision taken by the Film Federation of India (FFI). Additionally, the FWICE wants the nomination process of Oscar entries to be changed, recommending that the I&B Ministry play an active role in it, as it does for the National Film Awards.
The FWICE’s primary allegation is that Chhello Show had received its Censor certificate in December 2021. This goes against the criterion that the film must have earned a Censor certificate only after January 2022 to qualify for the Oscars 2023 nomination.
Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor, FWICE, says, “We are [questioning] the faulty system and the casual method by which a film is selected. The team of [Chhello Show] had applied last year. How can it apply twice? The [past record] of FFI proves that they are not capable of sending the correct movies. When a country and its cinema are being represented, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should take over, like they do with the National Awards. When the government gets in [the picture], the system becomes organised.”
Pandit also notes that the Gujarati movie is a foreign production, and has been considered as Siddharth Roy Kapur Films acquired its distribution rights this year. Hopeful that Thakur will consider the body’s appeal, Pandit adds that it will take merely “a week” to find a fitting entry. “The jury can be constituted in 24 hours, and there are only 13 films to be considered,” he asserts.
This year, the FFI had put together a 17-member jury, comprising chairman T S Nagabharana, director Sangeeth Sivan, composer Jatin Pandit, producer Anjan Bose, art director Bijon Dasgupta and many more. The jury studied the 13 entries — which included Hindi films 'Anek' and 'Badhaai Do', Tamil film Iravin Nizhal and Bengali drama Aparajito — before arriving at a decision.
Asked how Chhello Show was in the running despite not satisfying the censor certification criterion, T P Aggarwal, president, FFI, explains, “It couldn’t release last year due to the pandemic. So, the producers sent [an explanatory] letter to the FFI, and we wrote to the Academy, asking if we could enter it in 2022. After the Academy gave their permission to consider the film again, we went ahead. Ours is a transparent selection process as we give the information to all the producers’ bodies.”
Aggarwal is unfazed by claims that the movie borrows heavily from the Oscar-winning film, Cinema Paradiso (1988). “A couple of shots may be similar, but you cannot call it a copy. Chhello Show is director Pan Nalin’s autobiography [of sorts]. This [fiasco] happens every time when certain films don’t get selected. Those upset about Chhello Show’s selection are [feeling so] because they were more interested in The Kashmir Files going to the Oscars.”
Chhello Show maker responds to ‘copied’ claims; FFI unsure of film’s origin
8:34 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 26, 2022)
India’s official entry to the Oscars this year, Chhello Show is mired in controversy. After FWICE claimed that the film that released in English is produced by foreign studios and is not an Indian film, the Gujarati film was tagged as a copy of Cinema Paradiso (1988).
The director of Chhello Show, Pan Nalin, reacted on Twitter. “Copy? Homage? Inspiration? Original? Find out yourself on 14.10.2022 in cinemas near you. Power to the people, let them decide,” he wrote.
Another controversy is about it not being an Indian film. The Film Federation of India (FFI) that selected the film reacted to the same. FFI president T P Aggarwal told Indian Express, “I can’t say anything about that, I am not sure about it.” He added, “I had asked the jury members, they have seen the picture so many times and they said no (it is not a copy). Not a single scene is similar in the film. It can be inspired by that (Cinema Paradiso), but it is not a copy.”
Chhello Show-RRR row: It was a unanimous decision, says FFI selection committee
8:42 AM
The film is universal, applicable to any child in the world and gives you hope’, said the committee, while talking about what set it apart from contenders that included RRR, Badhaai Do & Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; September 22, 2022)
Director Pan Nalin’s Gujarati film Chhello Show, an Indo-French co-production, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2023 Oscars. According to the Film Federation of India (FFI) president T P Aggarwal, Chhello Show was unanimously chosen over films such as S S Rajamouli’s RRR, Ranbir Kapoor-led Brahmastra, Rajkummar Rao-Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Badhaai Do and R Madhavan’s directorial debut Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, for its storytelling technique and the universal appeal of its theme. There were 13 films in the contenders’ list this year.
OUR ONLY PARAMETER IS THAT A FILM SHOULD TOUCH YOUR HEART: FFI SELECTION COMMITTEE
Chhello Show (or Last Film Show in English) is set against the backdrop of Indian cinemas witnessing a transition from celluloid to digital, where hundreds of single-screen cinemas are either shut or in ruins. The film follows a nine-year-old boy, Samay, whose life is turned upside down after watching his first movie at a cinema hall.
Filmmaker T S Nagabharana, who chaired the selection committee for India’s official entry to the Oscars, told us, “It was the Indianness of Chhello Show that appealed to the jury. It was a unanimous decision. The film is about a child’s innocence and his dream. It gives you hope that if you chase a dream, it can come true. The film’s idea has universal appeal and is applicable to any child anywhere in the world. We liked how the film begins innovatively and ends with hope. All 13 films which were in consideration, six of which were Hindi, were good films.”
Chhello Show was among the 13 contenders last year too. Then why was the film not selected then? T S Nagabharana replies, “Last year, the film was under consideration, but it had not been screened publicly by then – which is one of the criteria for selection. This year, the film has had screenings and it will be released soon.”
What are the parameters that the jury looks for while selecting a film? He laughs, “The only parameter is that the film should touch our heart.”
NOW, I CAN BREATHE AGAIN AND BELIEVE IN CINEMA THAT ENTERTAINS, INSPIRES AND ENLIGHTENS: PAN NALIN
After the announcement, director Pan Nalin, who has earlier directed films like Samsara, Angry Indian Goddesses and Valley Of Flowers, and was also invited to be an Academy member this year, says, “Chhello Show has been enjoying love from around the world, but there was an ache in my heart, that how do I make India discover it? Thank you for believing in Chhello Show. Now, I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens.”
The film had its world premiere at Tribeca Festival last year. It won the Golden Spike at the 66th Valladolid Film Festival in Spain and the Audience Award in the World Cinema strand of the Mill Valley Film Festival.
DECODING THE SELECTION PROCESS
T P Aggarwal, President, FFI, says, “The selection process is quite simple. The Film Federation of India (FFI) informs all producer bodies to submit their films, who in turn, inform their members, and then films are submitted. Following which the selection committee members vote and decide about the film which is sent as an Oscar entry from India. This year, 17 members of the jury unanimously voted for Chhello Show among 13 films.”
WE HAD THE BEST TECHNICAL TEAM THAT HELPED US COMPETE WITH THE REST OF GLOBAL CINEMA: DHEER
Dheer Momaya, the film’s producer who has been working on it for five years, says that had they not been selected as India’s official Oscar entry, they had planned to apply for the mainstream categories as well. He says, “Our film has been acquired internationally by good distributors (especially in the US and France), who have a record of Oscar selections. This is the first time that distinguished global studios have acquired distribution rights to an Indian film. The highest number of Academy voting members after the US is in France and distributors from both countries have acquired our film. We know how we are going to navigate the road to the Oscars. It is a long fight and it is not easy. The selection as an Oscar entry is not victory, it is just the beginning. It definitely helps to make inroads for a film which doesn’t have famous Bollywood actors and team. We have already been working with foreign distributors.”
At the same time, Momaya adds, “The fact that we had the best technical team – cinematographer Swapnil Sonawane, who has done shows like Sacred Games, casting director Dilip Shankar, who has worked on multiple Oscar-winning films like Life Of Pi, sound designer Gilles Bernadeau and DI colourist Kevin Le Dortz who have worked on many Oscar, Cesar and Cannes winning films – allows it to stand technically strong with the rest of global cinema.”
On social media, the film is being compared with Cinema Paradiso (1988) which is about the friendship between a boy and a cinema projectionist. Dheer says, “That is the only similarity between the two. Saying both films are the same is like saying all spy movies or all action movies are the same. It is the originality of our film that impressed foreign distributors.”
IT IS A MATTER OF GREAT PRIDE FOR US TO REPRESENT INDIA WITH THIS FILM, SAYS SIDDHARTH ROY KAPUR
Siddharth Roy Kapur, under whose banner the film will be released in India, said in a statement, “There could not be a more apt time for a film like this one, that celebrates the magic and wonder of cinema and the theatrical experience. When cinema-going around the world has been disrupted by a pandemic, it reminds audiences anew of the first time they fell in love with the experience of watching a movie in a darkened cinema hall. It is a matter of great pride for us to represent our country with this film, and with the backing of our partners, we will make sure that we give it our best shot at the Academy Awards.”
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NOT THE END OF THE OSCARS ROAD FOR RRR
RRR was among the fave contenders for India’s official Oscars entry this year, with foreign press naming it as a frontrunner in the International Feature Film, as well as Best Song category.
However, filmmaker T S Nagabharana – who chaired the selection committee for India’s official entry to the Oscars – says, “RRR will have its own term (path) and it has got a value. It doesn’t mean that it has to be Oscars (entry) only.”
Though it may be out of the International Feature Film race, reportedly, the US distributor of RRR will launch a full awards campaign and the film will be submitted for Best Picture, Best Director (SS Rajamouli), Original Screenplay (Rajamouli and V Vijayendra Prasad), Lead Actor (NT Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan), Supporting Actor (Ajay Devgn), Supporting Actress (Alia Bhatt), and other categories.
FILMS SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION FOR INDIA’S OFFICIAL OSCARS 2023 ENTRY
- Iravin Nizhal (Tamil)
- Rocketry : The Nambi Effect (Hindi)
- Ariyippu (Malayalam)
- The Kashmir Files (Hindi)
- Badhaai Do (Hindi)
- RRR (Telugu)
- Jhund (Hindi)
- Chhello Show (Gujarati)
- Brahmastra (Hindi)
- Sthalam (Telugu)
- Aparajito (Bengali)
- Anek (Hindi)
- Semkhor (Dimasa)
-----------------------------------------------------
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 22, 2022)
Contrary to the popular consensus on a nod for RRR or The Kashmir Files, Pan Nalin’s Gujarati film Chhello Show (titled The Last Film Show in English) has been named India’s official choice for Best International Feature at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards.
“I could have never imagined such a day would come. Now, I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens,” Nalin said on the honour for his film, which is set against the backdrop of cinemas in India that saw the transition from celluloid to digital.
However, this move by the Film Federation of India (FFI) has also seemingly upset a section of cinegoers rooting for films such as RRR and The Kashmir Files. The same was evident on social media as well, with #RRRForOscars trending within no time.
Reacting to the chatter on the FFI’s decision, director-actor T S Nagabharana, who served as the head of the committee of selection for the Oscars, revealed Chhello Show was picked “unanimously” by a 17-member jury. “We know everyone was expecting RRR. But, the idea was to have a film that represents the country in an Indian, unique way. Chhello Show transcends the narrative of the regular Indian reality in a broader sense, while tugging on emotional chords,” he says.
On the RRR snub, he adds, “Do people mean to say only marketing, entertainment value or collection figure are the criteria to make a mark at the Oscars? It is the story that matters, not the popularity.”
But, all is not lost for the S S Rajamouli-directorial, for the film’s US distributor is set to seek nomination in other categories. According to Variety, the film will be submitted for best picture, director, original screenplay, lead actor, supporting actor, supporting actress, original song, among other categories.
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files was also seen as one of the top contenders. But the filmmaker is not sure about going the independent way like RRR.
“I wish the whole team of Chhello Show good luck for the Oscars 2023. I have nothing else to say. When it comes to applying independently, it is a decision the producers will take. Right now, I am doing another film and have moved on,” Agnihotri tells us.
In India’s Oscars history, three films have been nominated for Best International Feature, namely Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Lagaan (2001). But, none have won.
According to trade expert Atul Mohan, RRR still holds a chance to shine bright at the awards, but he believes it is “too early to shrug off the chances of Chhello Show”.
Echoing similar sentiments, trade expert Taran Adarsh adds, “Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for some Oscar glory for India.”
Chhello Show: An ode to films is Oscars entry
11:27 AM
Parth Shastri (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 21, 2022)
Ahmedabad: Early in the movie Chhello Show, the wide-eyed protagonist Samay, a young boy in a small village in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, discovers ‘fillam’ (film) and gets enamoured by the 35mm medium of sound and light playing at the speed of 24 frames a second. In more ways than one, it depicts how Pan Nalin, a US-based filmmaker with roots in Gujarat, discovered and got hooked to films for life some five decades ago.
It was a euphoric moment for Nalin and the entire team of Chhello Show (Last Film Show) when the movie was officially selected by Film Federation of India (FFI) to represent India at the 95th Academy Awards, or the Oscars, in 2023.
After the 2013 film The Good Road, this is the second Gujarati language movie to be nominated for the Oscars where it will compete in the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category. Nalin said Chhello Show as India’s official Oscars entry reflects the changing taste and universal values that worked in favour of the film that has no big stars or streamers behind it.
“The movie has been on the international film festival circuit for the past several months and has won a number of awards, including the Golden Spike in Spain. It’s incredible that we were chosen from among so many big releases this year,” said Nalin.
“It’s perhaps has to do with the universal power of stories. During the pandemic, Indians were exposed to many stories from countries like South Korea, Mexico, Spain… Similarly, the world is also exploring our stories. ”
Almost all the actors in the film Chhello Show are debutants.
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