Gully Boy: A Good Bet At The Oscars

Each year, the announcement of India’s official submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category is accompanied by loud voices that invariably end up lamenting the choice for a multitude of reasons.

- Gautam Chintamani

One significant explanation for the irate reactions probably has to do with the notion that the Film Federation of India (FFI), the body that picks the film to ‘represent’ India, often disregards the films that have a better chance.

Disputes persist

This year the jury headed by the much-celebrated actor-filmmaker, Aparna Sen, selected Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, and while the reactions haven’t been as bad as they had been on a few occasions in the past, many believed that Kumbalangi Nights or Super Deluxe would probably have been better. Arguments from both sides, such as Oscarvalidation-is-not-important and how being ‘visible’ on such a stage would give Indian cinema a big boost et al notwithstanding, and keeping in mind that Gully Boy might not be the best choice, it’s probably the smartest hand that India has played in years.