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Every year one movie's Oscar entry turns into a case of sour grapes for the losing film's crew
Barfi!'s makers have only begun celebrating its selection as India's official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category, and already the disappointed comments are pouring in. Among the films in the running this year were Kahaani, The Dirty Picture, Paan Singh Tomar, Gangs Of Wasseypur 1 & 2, Heroine and Ferrari Ki Sawari.
Director Shoojit Sircar has released a statement expressing disappointment over Vicky Donor not being sent by its producers for consideration.
This may be the first time a director is upset with the producers for not sending a film, however, this isn't the first time questions have been raised after the official entry is announced. Even though only three Indian films in the last 50 years have gone on to being nominated in the Foreign Language category, almost every year questions are raised about the selection process.
2002 - Devdas (Who lost out: The Legend of Bhagat Singh)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, which was Bollywood's most expensive film at the time of its release, pipped Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Agnivarsha and Kannathil Mutthamittal to be the official entry to the Oscars in 2002. Actor Raghuvir Yadav felt the film didn't reflect Indian culture, and had been hyped because of the budget and opulent sets. David Dhawan had said, "Bhagat Singh would have been a better choice. It's not only a well-made film with great performances, it echoes a sentiment Western audiences understand." Producer Vashu Bhagnani said, "If the Film Federation of India (FFI) didn't want to send a Hindi film, Mani Ratman's Madhavan-starrer Kannathil Mutthamittal would have had more chances of making it to the final shortlist."
2005 - Paheli (who lost: Mangal Pandey)
The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer had tanked in India, yet it was that year's official entry to the Oscars instead of Mangal Pandey, Veer-Zaara, Iqbal, Swades, Parineeta, Black or Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. "Wein India have never been known to send the 'best film' to the Oscars. For example, in a year when we had a brilliant film like Bandit Queen, we sent a commercial venture like Jeans," Ruchi Narayan, assistant director, Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi had said. That year, Mahesh Dattani's Morning Raga, was sent independently to the Oscars. Perizaad, who starred in the film, said, "The film has fulfilled several criteria." However, neither Paheli nor Morning Raga was finally nominated for an Oscar.
2006 - Rang De Basanti (left sulking: Lage Raho Munnabhai)
The fact that Rang De Basanti was chosen over Lage Raho Munnabhai didn't go down very well with some. So much so, that the latter was sent to the Oscars independently, like Morning Raga. At the time, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had said, "The record number of fan mails that we have received worldwide have supported our belief and inspired us to go ahead with sending the film across to the Academy as an independent entry. We strongly believe that Lage Raho Munnabhai is a film that should be screened at all international film festivals." Again, neither of the films was nominated for an Oscar.
2007 - Eklavya - The Royal Guard (instead of: Chak De)
The selection of Eklavya - The Royal Guard in 2007 was slammed because the film was one of the biggest flops of the year. It was chosen ahead of Chak De! India, Gandhi My Father and Guru. Pahlaj Nihalani, president, Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programmes, said, "It is disgraceful that the jury has selected a movie for the Oscars which has been rejected by the people. I don't see any logic behind it." Bhavna Talwar, whose Dharm was also a contender, had moved court alleging that some members of the selection committee - Sudhir Mishra, Jagdish Sharma and Ranjit Bahadur - were "very close" to Chopra, and hence the selection wasn't fair. She'd said, "It's all about personal agendas. Strings are being pulled. And if Mr Sudhir Mishra thinks the film is technically sound then please have the b***s to enter Eklavya in the technical sections in the Oscars. The FFI is embarrassing not just the film industry but also the whole country." The Bombay High Court had also said that the selection appeared to be "prima facie biased". Reacting to disapproving comments by Farah Khan, Sajid Khan and Anupam Kher, Chopra said, "What are the credentials of these people...what is their understanding of cinema...where does their allegiance lie?" Ultimately, Eklavya was sent to the Oscars, but failed to get a nomination.
2010 - Peepli live (who lost: Udaan)
The makers of Udaan, a small budget film were unhappy. Producer Sanjay Singh had said, "Peepli Live is good but to say that it is deserving of India's entry to the Oscars is open to debate. It had nothing new. We can't keep sending commercially successful movies."
India?s Oscar race: Losers weepers? - Times Of India
Barfi!'s makers have only begun celebrating its selection as India's official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category, and already the disappointed comments are pouring in. Among the films in the running this year were Kahaani, The Dirty Picture, Paan Singh Tomar, Gangs Of Wasseypur 1 & 2, Heroine and Ferrari Ki Sawari.
Director Shoojit Sircar has released a statement expressing disappointment over Vicky Donor not being sent by its producers for consideration.
This may be the first time a director is upset with the producers for not sending a film, however, this isn't the first time questions have been raised after the official entry is announced. Even though only three Indian films in the last 50 years have gone on to being nominated in the Foreign Language category, almost every year questions are raised about the selection process.
2002 - Devdas (Who lost out: The Legend of Bhagat Singh)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, which was Bollywood's most expensive film at the time of its release, pipped Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Agnivarsha and Kannathil Mutthamittal to be the official entry to the Oscars in 2002. Actor Raghuvir Yadav felt the film didn't reflect Indian culture, and had been hyped because of the budget and opulent sets. David Dhawan had said, "Bhagat Singh would have been a better choice. It's not only a well-made film with great performances, it echoes a sentiment Western audiences understand." Producer Vashu Bhagnani said, "If the Film Federation of India (FFI) didn't want to send a Hindi film, Mani Ratman's Madhavan-starrer Kannathil Mutthamittal would have had more chances of making it to the final shortlist."
2005 - Paheli (who lost: Mangal Pandey)
The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer had tanked in India, yet it was that year's official entry to the Oscars instead of Mangal Pandey, Veer-Zaara, Iqbal, Swades, Parineeta, Black or Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. "Wein India have never been known to send the 'best film' to the Oscars. For example, in a year when we had a brilliant film like Bandit Queen, we sent a commercial venture like Jeans," Ruchi Narayan, assistant director, Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi had said. That year, Mahesh Dattani's Morning Raga, was sent independently to the Oscars. Perizaad, who starred in the film, said, "The film has fulfilled several criteria." However, neither Paheli nor Morning Raga was finally nominated for an Oscar.
2006 - Rang De Basanti (left sulking: Lage Raho Munnabhai)
The fact that Rang De Basanti was chosen over Lage Raho Munnabhai didn't go down very well with some. So much so, that the latter was sent to the Oscars independently, like Morning Raga. At the time, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had said, "The record number of fan mails that we have received worldwide have supported our belief and inspired us to go ahead with sending the film across to the Academy as an independent entry. We strongly believe that Lage Raho Munnabhai is a film that should be screened at all international film festivals." Again, neither of the films was nominated for an Oscar.
2007 - Eklavya - The Royal Guard (instead of: Chak De)
The selection of Eklavya - The Royal Guard in 2007 was slammed because the film was one of the biggest flops of the year. It was chosen ahead of Chak De! India, Gandhi My Father and Guru. Pahlaj Nihalani, president, Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programmes, said, "It is disgraceful that the jury has selected a movie for the Oscars which has been rejected by the people. I don't see any logic behind it." Bhavna Talwar, whose Dharm was also a contender, had moved court alleging that some members of the selection committee - Sudhir Mishra, Jagdish Sharma and Ranjit Bahadur - were "very close" to Chopra, and hence the selection wasn't fair. She'd said, "It's all about personal agendas. Strings are being pulled. And if Mr Sudhir Mishra thinks the film is technically sound then please have the b***s to enter Eklavya in the technical sections in the Oscars. The FFI is embarrassing not just the film industry but also the whole country." The Bombay High Court had also said that the selection appeared to be "prima facie biased". Reacting to disapproving comments by Farah Khan, Sajid Khan and Anupam Kher, Chopra said, "What are the credentials of these people...what is their understanding of cinema...where does their allegiance lie?" Ultimately, Eklavya was sent to the Oscars, but failed to get a nomination.
2010 - Peepli live (who lost: Udaan)
The makers of Udaan, a small budget film were unhappy. Producer Sanjay Singh had said, "Peepli Live is good but to say that it is deserving of India's entry to the Oscars is open to debate. It had nothing new. We can't keep sending commercially successful movies."
India?s Oscar race: Losers weepers? - Times Of India
