Malayalam film '2018' is India's entry for Oscars 2024
Tovino Thomas' '2018', set in the backdrop of the severe floods that devastated Kerala was a huge commercial success, when it released in theatres
Tovino Thomas' epic survival drama '2018' (also known as '2018: Everyone is a Hero') beat 'Gadar 2' and 'The Kerala Story' to be selected as India’s official entry for the 2024 Academy Awards.
The Film Federation of India on Wednesday (September 27) made the announcement that the Malayalam film, '2018', which is based on the floods that struck Kerala that year, will be India's official entry for Oscars 2024.
Later, speaking to the media, filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, who headed the jury to select India's entry for the Oscars, said, '2018 - Everyone is a Hero' has expressed the idea that humanity is important in the backdrop of a natural disaster in Kerala. This idea behind the film is applicable to the entire world, he added.
'2018'
' 2018' directed by Jude Anthany Joseph was a huge hit at the box-office when it released in theatres and the film was universally praised. Besides Tovino Thomas, the film also stars Asif Ali, Lal, Narain, Kunchacko Boban and Aparna Balamurali in prominent roles. Lijp Jose Pellissery's 'Jallikattu' was another Malayalam film that was sent to the Oscars in 2020 but it failed to make it to the Oscar shortlist.
'Chhello Show' (2022), 'Koozhangal' (2021), 'Gully Boy' (2019), 'Village Rockstars' (2018), 'Newton' (2017), 'Visaranai' (2016) also did not get nominated. The only Indian films to have been nominated for an Oscar so far have been 'Mother India', 'Salaam Bombay' and 'Lagaan'.
The other contenders who were in the race this year for selection as Oscar entry were 'Balagam' (Telugu), 'The Kerala Story'( Hindi), '12th Fail' ( Hindi), 'Zwigato' ( Hindi), 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' ( Hindi), 'The Storyteller' ( Hindi), Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway (Hindi), Viduthalai Part 1 (Tamil), 'Gadar 2' and more.
