'The Lunchbox' director Ritesh Batra and producer Anurag Kashyap have lashed out at the selection committee for choosing Gujarati film 'The Good Road' over their movie as India's official entry for the Oscars next year.
Kashyap, who has produced the film with Guneet Monga, said he is disappointed because 'The Lunchbox' had a good chance of making it to the final five in the Best Foreign Film category.
"Feeling very, very disappointed, can't comment on the film I have not seen, but it better make it to final five... I hope and pray I am wrong and it actually is a film that knocks the socks off everyone" Kashyap posted on twitter, within minutes after Gyan Correa's film was announced as the official entry.
"First time and I really mean it, first time I really was excited because first time we knew we had a chance, first time I was waiting for it. I don't know who the federation is but it goes to show, why we completely lack the understanding to make films that can travel across borders," Kashyap said.
Batra blamed the Film Federation of India-appointed committee, which was headed by Bengali filmmaker Goutam Ghose this year, for a lack of understanding.
"Congrats to 'The Good Road', hope it makes it all the way, else it will be a lost chance by FFI appointed jury that lacks vision. Hope I am wrong," Batra added.
Director-producer Karan Johar, who turned presenter for 'The Lunchbox', echoed Kashyap and Batra.
"Really shocked and disappointed. 'The Lunchbox' had every factor working in its favour, we may have just lost our golden chance. Sad," Johar tweeted.
