Gujarati film 'Chhello Show' is India's official entry for Oscars 2023
New Delhi, Sep 20: Gujarati film "Chhello Show", a coming-of-age drama about a young boy's love affair with cinema in a village in Saurashtra, is India's official entry for the 95th Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Tuesday.
Titled "Last Film Show" in English, the Pan Nalin-directorial will release in theatres countrywide on October 14.
"'Chhello Show' is India's official entry for Oscars 2023," FFI Secretary General Supran Sen told PTI.
According to FFI president TP Aggarwal, "Chhello Show" was unanimously chosen over films such as SS Rajamouli's "RRR", Ranbir Kapoor-led "Brahmastra: Part One Shiva", Vivek Agnihotri's "The Kashmir Files" and R Madhavan's directorial debut "Rocketry".
"The 17-member jury unanimously chose 'Chhello Show'. There were a total of 13 films of different languages including six in Hindi -- 'Brahmastra', 'The Kashmir Files', 'Anek', 'Jhund", "Badhaai Do' and 'Rocketry' -- and one each in Tamil ('Iravin Nizhal'), Telugu ('RRR'), Bengali ('Aparajito') and Gujarati ('Chhello Show') as well as few others," Aggarwal told PTI.
The film, which will represent the country in the best international feature film category at the Oscars, is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur's banner Roy Kapur Films, Jugaad Motion Pictures, Monsoon Films, Chhello Show LLP and Marc Duale.
The story is inspired by Nalin's own memories of falling in love with movies as a child in rural Gujarat.
In a press note, the FFI said, "Chhelo' Show" is a film that transcends the banal narrative of the regular Indian reality shown abroad and touches the emotional chords of every film buff around the world.
"The narrative is impactful, with cinematic moments captured in great details, captivating performances, visual beauty and auditory effects," the statement read.
"It showcases the Indian nuances and heritages subtly and truthfully which be an eye opener for the foreign audience.It begins innovatively and ends with a ray of hope," it said.
Set in a remote rural village of Saurashtra, the film follows the story of a nine-year-old boy who begins a lifelong love affair with cinema when he bribes his way into a rundown movie palace and spends a summer watching movies from the projection booth.
Nalin, best known for directing critically-acclaimed films "Samsara", "Valley of Flowers" and "Angry Indian Goddesses", expressed his gratitude to the FFI and the selection jury.
"I could have never imagined such a day would come and bring light and celebration of light. 'Chhello Show' has been enjoying love from around the world but there was an ache in my heart that how do I make India discover it? Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens! Thank you FFI, Thank you Jury," the director said in a statement.
"Chhello Show", which features Bhavin Rabari, Vikas Bata, Richa Meena, Bhavesh Shrimali, Dipen Raval and Rahul Koli, had its world premiere as the opening film at the Tribeca Film Festival in June last year.
It won multiple awards during its festival run, including the Golden Spike at the 66th Valladolid Film Festival in Spain where it also enjoyed commercial success during its theatrical run.
Roy Kapur said the team is thrilled and honoured with the film's selection for the Oscars 2023.
"There could not be a more apt time for a film like this one, that celebrates the magic and wonder of cinema and the theatrical experience. When cinema-going around the world has been disrupted by a pandemic, it reminds audiences anew of the first time they fell in love with the experience of watching a movie in a darkened cinema hall," the producer said.
Last year, Tamil drama "Koozhangal" ("Pebbles"), directed by filmmaker Vinothraj PS, was India's official entry at the Oscars but didn't make the shortlist.
The last Indian film that made it to the final five was the Aamir Khan-led "Lagaan" in 2001.
"Mother India" (1958) and "Salaam Bombay" (1989) are the other two Indian movies to have made it to the top five.
The 95th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles.
OMG! What a night this going to be! Gratitude to Film Federation of India and thank you FFI jury members. Thank you for believing in Chhello Show. Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens! @LastFilmShow1 #ChhelloShow #Oscars
— Nalin Pan (@PanNalin) September 20, 2022
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Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
