Sep 26, 2006, 10:36 GMT
New Delhi - Rang de Basanti (Paint Me Saffron), a Bollywood take on modern-day patriotism, has been chosen as India's official entry for the 2007 Oscars, officials said Tuesday.
'It was a tough call this year with so many quality films in the race,' said Basu Chatterjee, chairman of the jury set up by the Film Federation of India. 'Rang De Basanti stood out for its cinematic quality and its script. It is a very contemporary film, and overall, we thought it would be a good choice.'
Rang de Basanti was picked from nine entries, including Krrish, a movie about a superhero; Omkara, based on Shakespeare's Othello; and Lage Raho Munabhai about a gangster inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
Rang de Basanti is about a group of young people who get fired up by feelings of patriotism and nationalism while making a film about a group of freedom fighters.
The film ends dramatically with the youth assassinating the country's defence minister and taking over a radio station to announce their deed.
The film's name comes from the colour saffron, or basanti, which is prominent on the Indian flag and is also the colour of sacrifice.
Among its principal actors is Aamir Khan, whose Lagaan made it to the final round of the Oscars in 2002.
Released in January 2005, Rang de Basanti was a resounding box-office hit in India.
Ronnie Screwvala, who represents the film's producer UTV, said the company was planning a mainline release of the film in the United States in association with two major studios.
India's entry in the best foreign film category for the annual awards presented by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will also have among its competitors Canada's official entry Water, a film by India-born filmmaker Deepa Mehta.
A Hindi-language film, Water is set in the Hindu holy town of Varanasi and deals with the travails of a group of Indian widows.
The Oscars are to be presented February 25 in Los Angeles.
Add your comment (no registration required)
page: 1
correctionSep 26th, 2006 - 13:46:09
Its Jan 2006 I believe...not 2005 that the movie was released
Report this comment
correctionSep 26th, 2006 - 13:46:09
Its Jan 2006 I believe...not 2005 that the movie was released
Report this comment