The 97th Academy Awards has announced the 323 films eligible for nomination, with seven Indian films making the cut for the Best Picture category. Notably, this year marks the first time a Bengali film has been included in the prestigious list—‘Putul’. This marks a historic moment for Bengali cinema, as it is the first time a Bengali film has reached this level at the Oscars.
In addition to ‘Putul’, the other six Indian films in the running for recognition include ‘Kanguva’, ‘Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)’, ‘Santosh’, ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, ‘All We Imagine as Light’, and ‘Girls Will Be Girls’.
Putul
Directed by Indira Dhar Mukhopadhyay, ‘Putul’ has created history by becoming the first Bengali film to be considered for Best Picture at the Oscars. This is a groundbreaking moment for Bengali cinema. The film, produced by Indira and starring Mumtaz Sarkar, Tanushree Shankar, Sujan Mukhopadhyay, and Koninika Bandopadhyay, features music composed by Sayon Gangopadhyay, and editing by Arghyakamal Mitra.
Kanguva
‘Kanguva’, starring Suriya, has emerged as a major contender in the Best Picture category despite a mixed reception at the box office. The film also features Bobby Deol and Disha Patani.
Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)
This Malayalam survival drama, released in 2024, is based on the story of a Malayali immigrant laborer, Najeeb. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jimmy Jean-Louis, K. R. Gokul, and Amala Paul, and has been praised for its gripping portrayal of human survival in harsh conditions.
Santosh
‘Santosh’ is a Hindi crime drama set in rural north India, produced as a collaboration between Britain and France. Directed by Sandhya Suri, the film features Shahana Goswami as a widow who takes on her late husband’s role as a police constable. It premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and has garnered positive reviews globally.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
This Hindi biographical film, ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, is based on the life of the freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, portrayed by Randeep Hooda. The film offers a detailed account of Savarkar’s life, though it has sparked controversy for its portrayal of historical events.
All We Imagine as Light
‘All We Imagine as Light’ (2024), a Malayalam-Hindi film, won the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, marking India’s first film to compete in Cannes’ main section since 1994. The film has received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the best films of 2024.
Girls Will Be Girls
‘Girls Will Be Girls’ (2024) is a Hindi-English coming-of-age drama set in a boarding school in the Himalayan foothills. The film explores the romantic life of a teenager, Mira, and her complex relationship with her protective mother.
Additionally, ‘Anuja’, a short film from India, has made the shortlist for Best Live Action Short. However, ‘Laapataa Ladies’, directed by Kiran Rao, was India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film but did not make the shortlist.
The Oscar nomination voting process will take place from January 8-12, with the final list of nominees to be announced on January 17, 2025. The Oscars ceremony will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.