Debutant Chaitanya Tamhane's National award-winning Marathi film "Court", a poignant commentary on India's judicial system, has been selected to officially represent the country in the Best Foreign Film category at the 88th Oscars next year.
"'Court' has been selected as the official entry to the Oscars. There were 30 films in the running this year," Supran Sen, secretary general of the Film Federation of India (FFI), told PTI today.
Tamhane's independent, low-budget but gripping drama recieved widespread praise from the critics, who hailed it as one of the best movies to emerge out of the country in recent times.
Film's actress Geetanjali Kulkarni called the selection a "huge honour".
"It is an incredible and unbelievable achievement. We wanted it so we are very happy. It is a team of newcomers and first time directors and producers. It is really encouraging and promising.
"It feels good that our first film got unanimous praise nationally and internationally. It is also a good sign that a National award win was considered while selecting a movie for Oscars," Geetanjali told PTI.
"Court" was also named the Best Picture at the National film awards this year, besides winning 17 international honours after being premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last year.
The drama unfolds through an aging folk singer, who is tried for abetment to suicide in a court. The film, inspired by the real life story of folk singer Jiten Marandi, who got embroiled in a criminal case after a bomb blast, critiques the justice delivery system, its chaos and delays, which affect the common man's freedom.
India has never won an Oscar in the best foreign film category. The last Indian film that made it to the final five list was Ashutosh Gowariker's "Lagaan".
"Mother India" and "Salaam Bombay" are the other two Indian films to have made it to the top five.
