RRR, released on March 24, is an action-drama film starring Ram Charan, N.T. Rama Rao, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris. It’s directed by SS Rajamouli and has been reportedly made with a budget of 550 crores. Its song Naatu Naatu and VFX in it got prominence from moviegoers.
Recently, India announced a Gujarati movie named Chhelo Shaw (titled The Last Film Show in English) directed by Pan Nalin, as its official Oscar entry. It was decided by the Film Federation of India’s (FFI). Many have expressed displeasure at the nod given to it and over snubbing RRR, which performed well at the Box-Office.
“I could have never imagined such a day would come and bring light and celebration of light. 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? Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens! Thank you FFI, Thank you Jury,” said Nalin in a statement. Chhelo Shaw stars Bhavin Rabari, Bhavesh Shrimali, Richa Meena, Dipen Raval and Paresh Mehta. It will hit the screens on October 14 in India and was premiered at the 20th Tribeca Film Festival on June 10, 2021.
Known for prominent movies like The Big Short and Don’t Look Up, Academy winner and Hollywood writer Adam Mckay termed the decision as “travesty”. “This is a travesty. But let’s make sure it gets the best picture nom. Can we do a screening at the Rose Bowl? (How amazing would that be? #RRR,” said Mckay .
This is a travesty.
But let’s make sure it gets a best picture nom.
Can we do a screening at the Rose Bowl? (How amazing would that be?)#RRR https://t.co/ZLMGvLcfNQ
— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) September 22, 2022
Senior editor of Hollywood’s publication Variety, Clayton Davis, said, “No #RRR at the Oscars for international feature. India, for the second time in recent memory, has chosen another film over the one they probably could have won with. The first was them not choosing THE LUNCHBOX. What a morning.”
RRR team is hopeful and will make a campaign to submit the film under different popular categories at the Oscars. Speaking of India’s Oscars history, three films have been nominated for Best International Feature, namely Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Lagaan (2001); however, no one has triumphed.
The Oscars event will be held on March 12, 2023, in Los Angeles.
