National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das is preparing for her Oscar debut

'Rima's own journey is remarkable and an inspiring narrative for people who want to make films'

I  am exhausted,” sighs Rima Das, when I finally manage to speak to the National Award-winning director, whose film Village Rockstars has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 2019 Oscars.

A constant busy signal on her phone suggests it hasn’t stopped ringing since the announcement came a week ago, with numerous strangers even offering to donate money as she prepares to promote her movie in its race for the Academy Award for best foreign language film — a coveted prize that has forever eluded Indian cinema.

In April, the Assamese feature that had already earned plaudits at various