The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences releases a list of 301 feature films eligible for the Oscars. Indian movies that are eligible include SS Rajamouli’s RRR, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara. R Madhavan’s Rocketry is also on the list alongside Iravin Nizhal, another Tamil picture.
India’s official entry is already Chhello Show (Last Film Show), but this is also mentioned. Other titles include Me Vasantrao, Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi and R (all in the Marathi language). Kannada’s Vikrant Rona is mentioned. Documentaries All That Breathes by Shaunak Sen and Kartiki Gonsalves’ The Elephant Whisperers are also part of the lineup.
Meanwhile, RRR’s ‘Naatu Naatu’ is the first Indian song to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards. The film is also competing for two awards at the Golden Globes – Best Non-English Film and Best Original Song for the same track. To date, the only Indian films to have been nominated for an Oscar so far have been Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan.
This newly released announcement signifies movies that can officially compete in various categories but merely feature in the list. It does not guarantee that the film will advance in the final Academy Awards nominations, which will be announced on January 24, 2023.
The 95th Academy Awards will be held on March 12, 2023, at Los Angeles’ Dolly Theatre. TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting the Oscars this year.
