Director Rintu Thomas jumps with joy at 'Writing With Fire' Oscar nod, Farhan Akhtar congratulates

'Writing With Fire', an Indian documentary has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category at the 94th edition of the Academy Awards and the makers of the film, Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh are on cloud nine. In a video posted on Twitter, Thomas, who is the debutante co-director of this film can be seen jumping with joy, and clapping her hands as Tracee Ellis Ross and Leslie Jordan announces the nomination of her film, on Tuesday evening.


The nomination won desi Twitter's heart, and while actor-filmmaker, Farhan Akhtar, rushed in to say congratulations with a heart emoji, several Dalit accounts, scholars and journalists congratulated the makers for the Oscar nod.



'Writing With Fire' is also Ghosh's first outing as a filmmaker and chronicles the rise of 'Khabar Lahariya', India's only newspaper run by Dalit women.

"We are beyond delighted. This is a massive moment for us and for Indian cinema... This film is about fearless Dalit women journalists who are redefining what being powerful means, quintessentially the story of the modern Indian woman," co-director Ghosh told PTI. He also took to his Instagram to post a very animated and happy photo of his face with the caption, "@writingwithfire.film just got nominated for @theacademy awards!!!"

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The festival favourite film follows this ambitious group of Dalit wonder women - led by their chief reporter, Meera - as the team switches from print to digital in order to stay relevant.

Armed with smartphones and the courage and conviction one must be born with, they investigate the incompetence of the local police force, listen to and stand by victims of caste and gender violence, and challenge long-standing, harmful practices that lead to injustice and intimidation.

'Writing with Fire' has already amassed several accolades already. It has won 28 international awards and critical acclaim from the press. New York Times called it the “Critics Pick" and said that it was a “Rousing…nothing short of galvanizing" piece of work, and the The Washington Post dubbed it to be “The most inspiring journalism movie - maybe ever".

Other nominees in the category are: 'Ascension', 'Attica', 'Flee', and 'Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)'.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 27.