It's all Oscars

India's official entries to Oscars always surprised me. God knows what are the touch points in their selection. Here is the look at last 10 official entries to Oscars and it's nice to see there are 2 Marathi movies :-)

2000 Hey Ram - If Gandhi is the only name that could bring us to Oscars, then Hey Ram was the perfect choice. Kamal Hassan ever confused rendition of 'Vaishav Jan toh' never had potential to make it big at Oscars.



2001 Lagaan - Oh what a masterpiece. In spite of being shamelessly crazy about Lagaan, I thought the Simple tale of Amelie (French movie nominated in same category) had much more life than Lagaan in it.


2002 Devdas - An over the top melodrama that was highly overrated in India. If Nitin Desai's art direction was the criterion, then Devdas had a great chance to get away with Oscars.


2004 Shwaas - Oh, this movie missed the final 5 by whisker and stood 6th in ranking. My personal favorite and something that brings lump in your throat every time you watch it.


2005 Paheli Why, why....I mean why?? Sending Paheli to Oscars would remain the mystery of Indian Cinema, specially in a year where we had a tailor made Oscar entry BLACK. Now I am not a great FAN of Black either but it was definitely better than Paheli.


2006 Rang De Basanti - RDB is as Indian movie as it gets, something a wee bit tough to digest for Academy awards jury. No wonder it did not make it to final 5.


2007 Eklavya - The Royal Guard - Now we have to get out of western image of India...something that is royal, extravagant and Majesty making it to Oscar stage. Devadas, Paheli and Eklavya were not even a good movies with Indian standards.


2008 Taare Zameen Par - Aamir's honest efforts, perhaps just not enough to move the juries.


2009 Harishchandrachi Factory - Oh what a heart warming story of Father of Indian Cinema. There was nothing larger than life about the movie, and perhaps that's what the USP of it. Sad but could not make it big in Oscars


2010 Peepli Live - I am really hopeful about Peepli Live, it has the another typical INDIAN image [Pather Panchali & Slumdog Millionaire fame] but suspect that may be English subtitles would kill the charm of Peepli.

Wishing Peepli Live all the best for the Oscars!!!!