Hanuman Ansh, which has clocked an impressive ₹300 crore at the box office, is among the 33 films in the race to become India’s official entry for the Oscars. The Film Federation of India (FFI) is expected to announce its selection on Friday afternoon.
The film’s director, Vishal Chaturvedi, confirmed that Hanuman Ansh has been submitted to the FFI for consideration.
Apart from its strong box-office performance, the film has struck an emotional chord with audiences through its story rooted in the faith and devotion associated with Lord Hanuman. The makers feel that this emotional and spiritual connection, cutting across generations, has been an important factor in the film finding such a wide audience.
The ₹300-crore business also gives Hanuman Ansh the distinction of combining commercial success with a story steeped in Indian mythology and cultural emotion. Its inclusion among the films being considered for India’s Oscar entry now adds another dimension to its journey.
The FFI will hold a press conference on Friday to announce India’s official entry for the Academy Awards.
India has been sending films to the Oscars since 1957, beginning with Mother India, which went on to secure a nomination but did not win. Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! was nominated in 1988, while the Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan earned a nomination in 2001.
India is yet to win the Oscar in what is now known as the Best International Feature Film category. More recently, Pan Nalin’s Chhello Show made it to the Oscars shortlist, as did Homebound, but neither went on to win the award
