Payal Kapadia’s film earned a nomination at the Golden Globes but is snubbed by the Oscars for Best Picture – Drama. The Hindi film Santosh, the UK’s official entry to the Oscars, also fails to make the cut.
By Mayur Lookhar
The curtain has finally lifted on the full nominations for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards. The raging wildfire in California rightly delayed the announcement of the nominations.
For Indian fans, there was disappointment on two fronts, though some joy and hope on the other. Although no certified Indian film made it to the Oscars, fans had pinned their hopes on director Payal Kapadia’s international co-production All We Imagine As Light (2024) getting a nomination for Best Picture – Drama, especially since it was nominated in a similar category at the Golden Globes. However, the Oscars jury did not nominate All We Imagine As Light. Kapadia’s film had won a Special Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival.
The other Hindi feature film in the fray was Sandhya Suri’s Santosh (2024), which was the United Kingdom’s official entry to the Oscars. The film, starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, also did not receive a nomination for Best International Feature.
Aamir Khan-produced Laapataa Ladies, India’s official entry to the Oscars in this category, failed to make it to the initial shortlist.
Indian fans will now look forward to Anuja (2024), produced by Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga. The American film, nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, was shot in Hindi and directed by Adam J. Graves, with a cast featuring Sajda Pathan, Ananya Shanbag, and Nagesh Bhosale.
Anuja is a 2024 short film about a nine-year-old girl, Anuja, working in a garment factory in Delhi. When offered the chance to attend school, she faces a crucial decision that impacts her future and that of her sister, Palak. The film explores themes of opportunity, sacrifice, and the power of education.
Anuja will compete with A Lien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent.
Meanwhile, the ten films nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama are:
- Anora
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- I’m Still Here
- Nickel Boys
- The Substance
- Wicked
Interestingly, Emilia Pérez, France’s official entry to the Oscars, has been nominated in both the Best International Feature and Best Picture categories. All We Imagine As Light, which is primarily a French production, was not picked by France as its official entry to the Oscars.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Click here to read the full list of nominations.
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