Oscars 2020: ‘Gully Boy” is India’s official entry for Oscars in Best International Feature Film Category

Mumbai: Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt starrer ‘Gully Boy’ has clinched the opportunity to represent India’s official entry at the Oscars 2020 or 92n Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Awards ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angels, California.

‘Gully Boy’ has been picked by a selection committee led by actor-filmmaker Aparna Sen from the list of total 27 films. Some of the movies which were on the list include Andhadhun, Article 15, Badhai ho, Badla and Kesari.

In the International feature film category, previously called as Best Foreign Language Film category, other movies which would be competing with Gully Boy include Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You from Japan, 2019 Palme d’Or-winning ‘Parasite’ from South Korea, Finding Farideh from Iran, and Instinct from Netherlands.

‘Gully Boy’ featuring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt was directed by Zoya Akhtar and produced by Ritesh Sidwani and Farhan Akhtar.
This awe-inspiring movie traces the struggle of a slum boy who lives in the Dharawi–world’s largest slum– in a very abysmal conditions, and who aspires to become a famous rap artist with Ranveer Singh playing the role of aspiring rapper ‘Murad’ while Alia Bhatt plays his love interest.

The movie is inspired by the life of two Mumbai based MC’ Naezy and Divine to portray the struggle of an aspiring rapper.
This criticality acclaimed movie not only performed well in India but was even appreciated worldwide making it the third highest-grossing film worldwide in 2019. It had received Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) award at the 23rd Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in South Korea.

India’s journey at Oscar

India has been sending movies at Oscar since 1957, a year after when ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category was introduced in 1956. Since then India has submitting movies in this category except in 2003, when selection committee could not find any movie worthy to represent India. So far only three movies—Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Lagaan (2001)— have been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.