This is not a drill. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released a list of 301 feature films eligible for Oscars and Indian films that have made the cut include SS Rajamouli's RRR, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi, Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files and Rishab Shetty's Kantara. The list also includes Pan Nalin's Chhello Show (Last Film Show), which is India's official Oscar entry, Marathi films Me Vasantrao, Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi, R Madhavan's Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Iravin Nizhal and Kannada movie Vikrant Rona. Documentaries All That Breathes by Shaunak Sen and Kartiki Gonsalves' The Elephant Whisperers are also part of the list.
FYI, the list includes movies that can officially compete in various categories but merely featuring in the list does not guarantee that the film will advance in the final nominations of the Academy Awards, which will be announced on January 24.
Meanwhile, the RRR track Naatu Naatu is the first Indian song to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards. While the Oscar nominations are awaited. The film is also competing for two awards at the Golden Globes - Best Non-English Film and Best Original Song for Naatu Naatu.
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.
India's history with the Oscar entries for the last few years were - Koozhangal, Jallikattu, Gully Boy, Village Rockstars, Newton, Visaranani, all of which have failed to make the Oscar shortlist. The only Indian films to have been nominated for an Oscar so far have been Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan.