Makers of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar claim film as official submission for ‘Oscars’: FFI clarifies
Mumbai: After the official announcement of Kiran Rao’s directorial Laapataa Ladies being selected as India’s entry for the Oscars, the makers of Randeep Hooda-starrer Swatantrya Veer Savarkar caused controversy by claiming on social media that their film was also officially submitted for the prestigious award, IndianExpress reported.
The post, shared by the film's co-producers, Sandeep Singh and Anand Pandit, on Instagram, expressed gratitude to the Film Federation of India (FFI) for their "remarkable appreciation," leading to widespread confusion. The post stated, “Honored and humbled! Our film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar has officially been submitted for the Oscars. Thank you Film Federation of India for this remarkable appreciation.”
However, FFI President Ravi Kottakara debunked these claims, clarifying that only Laapataa Ladies had been officially submitted by India for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. He labeled the communication from the Swatantrya Veer Savarkar team as misleading, stating that “only Laapataa Ladies has been sent for the Oscars from India officially.”
While Swatantrya Veer Savarkar was among the 29 films initially considered by the FFI for India’s official Oscar submission, it was ultimately not selected. Despite this, the makers can independently submit their film to the Academy, which is allowed under the rules, although it would not carry the weight of an official country endorsement.
It is worth noting that, in 2022, SS Rajamouli's blockbuster RRR was independently submitted to the Oscars, despite Last Film Show being India’s official selection, and went on to win the Best Original Song category for "Naatu Naatu." Similarly, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi was independently submitted in several key categories the same year.
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Modi to address four rallies in Bengal on Sunday
Kolkata (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four public meetings across West Bengal on Sunday as the BJP intensifies its campaign ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Modi is scheduled to begin his tour with a rally in Bishnupur in Bankura district before heading to Purulia, Jhargram and then Medinipur, where he will address successive public meetings.
The rallies assume significance as the BJP seeks to consolidate its support base in the western and south-western districts of the state, regions where the saffron party had put up a strong performance in previous Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases -- on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
