After 'RRR,' 'Kantara,' 'The Kashmir Files' makes it to Oscars
What's the story
Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files has been included in the list of five Indian films that have been shortlisted for this year's Academy Awards.
The film has found a place for itself in the Best Actors category with its leading stars, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Mithun Chakraborty bagging a spot each on the contention list.
Context
Why does this story matter
Helmed by Vivek Agnihotri, The Kashmir Files was one of the blockbuster films of the year 2022. It was based on the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, starring Kher in the lead role.
In November 2022, the film saw itself in the midst of a controversy over Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid's "propaganda" comments during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Nominations
Agnihotri announced his film's entry to Oscar through a tweet
On Tuesday morning, Agnihotri took to his Twitter handle to announce that the film is among the few Indian movies that have made their way through the contention list for Oscars. The film has bagged a nomination in the Best Actors category.
"#TheKashmirFiles has been shortlisted for #Oscars2023 in the first list of @TheAcademy," wrote Agnihotri, adding it's "a great year for Indian cinema."
Twitter Post
See his post here
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: #TheKashmirFiles has been shortlisted for #Oscars2023 in the first list of @TheAcademy. It’s one of the 5 films from India. I wish all of them very best. A great year for Indian cinema. 🙏🙏🙏
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) January 10, 2023
About the film
Everything about 'The Kashmir Files'
Apart from Anupam Kher, Kumar, and Mithun Chakraborty, the film also starred Agnihotri's actor-wife Pallavi Joshi in a pivotal role.
The film went on to enter the Rs. 200 crore club and was a commercial hit. After its release, the film was made tax-free in several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, among many others.
Other films in Oscar
Take a look at Indian films in the Oscar race
While Pan Nalin's Chhello Show (Last Film Show) is India's official entry to the Academy Awards, there are other films that are eyeing a spot in the final nominations.
SS Rajamouli's RRR, Rishab Shetty's Kantara, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Vikrant Rona, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Me Vasantrao, and Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi are some of the other films that are in the first nominations.