Malayalam film 'Jallikattu' is India's official Oscar entry in International Feature Film category
In 2019, Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy', starring Ranveer Singh was India's entry to Oscars.
By PTI | Updated:
Agencies
"Jallikattu" had its premiere on September 6, 2019 at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim.
NEW DELHI: Malayalam feature "Jallikattu", directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, has been selected as India's official entry for the International Feature Film category at the 93rd Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Thursday.
"Jallikattu", which was unanimously chosen from 27 entries across Hindi, Marathi and other languages, is about a tribe of men coming together to stop a bull that has run amok in their village. "There were a total of 27 films that had entered the race from Hindi, Malayalam and Marathi. The film which has been nominated by the jury to represent India at Oscars is Malayalam film 'Jallikattu'.
"It is a film that really brings out the raw problems which are there in human beings, that is we are worse than animals," filmmaker Rahul Rawail, Chairman, Jury Board, Film Federati on of India, told reporters in an online press conference .
The film, which derives its name from the popular-yet-controversial bull-taming event from the South, is based on a short story by Hareesh.
It features actors Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sabumon Abdusamad and Santhy Balachandran.
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Among the films that were considered by the jury included titles such as "Chhapaak", "Shakuntala Devi", "Chhalaang", "Gulabo Sitabo", "Eeb Allay Ooo!", "The Sky is Pink", "Bulbbul and internationally-celebrated feature "The Disciple".
Calling Pellissery a "very competent director", known for several critically acclaimed films like "Angamaly Diaries" and "Ea Ma Yau", Rawail said "Jallikattu" is a production that country should be proud of. "The whole film talks about an animal that has run amok in a butcher's shop... The film has been depicted wonderfully and it has been shot very well. The emotion that comes out really moved all of us to have it selected," the chairman said.
The movie was particularly praised for Pellissery's spectacular directing effort, ably supported by Girish Gangadharan's cinematography and Renganaath Ravee's wild sound design work.
Pellissery also won the best director trophy at the 50th International Film Festival of India last year.
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In 2019, Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy", starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, was India's entry to the Oscars.
IFFI 2019: Big B & Rajini’s Bromance, Shankar Mahadevan’s Performance Steal The Limelight
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The 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) kicked off in Goa on Tuesday at Shyama Prasad Stadium. The eight-day long affair that celebrates cinema will continue till November 28. The festival provides a platform to show excellence in film art from across the world.
As is tradition, the who’s who of Bollywood graced the event with their presence. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, film-maker Karan Johar,superstar Rajinikanth were joined by director Madhur Bhandarkar, producer Sidharth Roy Kapur, singer and Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Babul Supriyo.
The film festival began with the screening of the film ‘Despite the Fog’ directed by acclaimed documentarian Goran Paskaljevic representing Italy. Over 250 films from 76 countries will be screened at the festival with a special focus of Russia.
With power-packed performances, heartfelt speeches and riveting tributes, the opening ceremony was a memorable night.
The 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) kicked off in Goa on Tuesday at Shyama Prasad Stadium. The eight-day long affair that celebrates cinema will continue till November..
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Revered Tamil cinema superstar, Rajinikanth, was honoured with Icon of the Jubilee award at the festival. The ‘Kaala’ star was felicitated by the Big B.
Accepting the award, the megastar thanked the Government of India, Amitabh Bachchan, the Chief Minister of Goa and the dignitaries present at the event.
He also expressed gratitude towards his fans and his Tamil ‘makkal’. “I am extremely happy to receive the International Film Festival of India's prestigious Icon of Golden Jubilee award. My heartfelt thanks to the Indian government for honouring me with this award...
“I dedicate this award to all my producers, directors and technicians who worked in my films. And above all my fans and my Tamil makkal. Thank you. Jai Hind," the 68-year-old said in his acceptance speech.
Revered Tamil cinema superstar, Rajinikanth, was honoured with Icon of the Jubilee award at the festival. The ‘Kaala’ star was felicitated by the Big B.Accepting the award, the megastar thanked the G..
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Amitabh Bachchan arrived at the festival in style in a black bandhgala. At the event, the 77-year-old, who shot his first film in the coastal state, said that he was feeling nostalgic. This comes after the veteran actor missed Sharjah Book Fair and Kolkata Film Festival, earlier this month due to ill health.
“It's always a nostalgic feeling to be back in Goa. I shot my first film in Goa and it brings me immense pleasure to come back here,” Senior Bachchan said at the red carpet.
The ‘Sholay’ star kicked off the ceremony on an auspicious note, by lighting a lamp with megastar Rajinikanth.
Amitabh Bachchan arrived at the festival in style in a black bandhgala. At the event, the 77-year-old, who shot his first film in the coastal state, said that he was feeling nostalgic. This comes aft..
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Before presenting Rajinikanth with the Icon of the Jubilee award, Amitabh Bachchan was all praises for the south superstar. Not only did the the 77-year-old call Rajinikanth ‘his family’, he also shared how the two of them often advise each other, but rarely follow it.
“I feel relationships are made of this. Sometimes I tell him not to do something, but he goes ahead and does it. Sometimes he tells me to do something, but I go ahead and do it,” the ‘Paa’ actor said. Calling Rajini an ‘inspiration’, he spoke about how the star made it big despite his humble beginnings.
The stars were also seen posing with each other at the event and the brewing bromance between the two was quite evident.
Before presenting Rajinikanth with the Icon of the Jubilee award, Amitabh Bachchan was all praises for the south superstar. Not only did the the 77-year-old call Rajinikanth ‘his family’, he also sha..
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The opening ceremony of IFFI saw some power-packed performances. Singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan enthralled the audience by singing some of his hit songs.
In addition to leaving the audience captivated with his soulful rendition of the classic song ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhaara’, he also gave a staggering performance with 'The Godfather Of Indian Jazz' Louis Banks.
The opening ceremony of IFFI saw some power-packed performances. Singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan enthralled the audience by singing some of his hit songs.In addition to leaving the audien..
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French actress Isabelle Huppert bagged the biggest honour of the night, winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony. The actress has won two Best Actress awards at the Cannes Film Festival for her films Violette Nozière (1978) and The Piano Teacher (2001).
For the uninitiated, Huppert has appeared in more than 120 films and is the most nominated actress for the highly-coveted César Award, with 16 nominations, and has won it twice.
French actress Isabelle Huppert bagged the biggest honour of the night, winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony. The actress has won two Best Actress awards at the Cannes Film ..
