There are a few months left for the 95th Oscar Award ceremony that is going to be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 12, 2022 and that doesn’t mean the film festival isn’t already creating a tonne of buzz.
Tuesday, 20th September was a very crucial day as the Film Federation of India declared Gujarati film “Chhello Show” (Last Film Show) as India’s official entry to the upcoming Oscar awards.
The announcement was made by FFI secretary General Suparn Sen after the deliberations by the jury, headed by seasoned Kannada director T.S. Nagabharana.
Chhello Show Left Behind “RRR” & “TKF”
The film is releasing on 14th Oct, theatrically:
On one hand where people appreciated the fact that this Internationally acclaimed movie about which a big part of the country doesn’t even know, was selected for India’s official entry to Osar based on the story it delivered, the fans of this year’s biggest blockbusters films RRR and The Kashmir Films surely feels disappointment.
There was a lot of buzz about these two films in the Oscar race but FFI cleared everyone’s doubt and selected the Gujarati film for it. Along with RRR and The Kashmir Files, the film has beaten stiff competition from movies “Malayankunju” and “Shyam Singh Roy”. It is the second time after The Good Road in 2013 that a Gujarati film has made the cut for the prestigious awards.
Here are the reactions of film critics and other Twitter user over the decision made by FFI:
Gujarati film #ChhelloShow is India's official entry for Oscars 2023 and as always India has ZERO chance of getting nominated forget about winning. #RRR was our BEST BET in last 2 decades to win an oscar for India. Really Sad to see Film federation of India ignored this fact 👎🏻.
— Sumit Kadel (@SumitkadeI) September 20, 2022
Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Film Federation of India ignoring #RRR for India’s official entry to the Oscars. One year when we stood a good chance with it. Moreover, wasn’t #ChhelloShow in contention last year? Didn’t one of the members rip it apart?
— Namrata Joshi (@Namrata_Joshi) September 20, 2022
#ChhelloShow is a cheap copy of 1988 academy award winning film #cinemaparadiso , which has been selected over #RRR for #Oscars2023 is an blunder and biggest mistake by film federation of India and @MIB_India,Shame on the jury and system for wantedly ignoring @RRRMovie pic.twitter.com/USaZU0nPYD
— Nikhil 🌊 (@Nikhill_1) September 20, 2022
It's ridiculous that FFI turned down #RRR for the Oscars when the world is going mad.
An unknown Gujarati film "#ChhelloShow" has been nominated for the India’s official entry for Oscars.The constant disrespect for South Cinema especially #Telugu cinema continues🙏🙏
— Milagro Movies (@Milgromoves) September 20, 2022
About “Chhellow Show” or ” Last Film Show”
Directed by Pan Nalin, Chhellow show is a Gujarati coming-of-age film that is a reminder of childhood innocence and revolves around a young boy living in Saurashtra. The story is set against the backdrop of cinemas in India witnessing a massive transition from celluloid to digital, where hundreds of single-screen cinemas stand dilapidated or have disappeared altogether.
The film had a world premiere as the opening film at the Tribeca Film Festival and has won multiple awards across various International films festivals including the Golden Spike at the 66th Valladolid Film Festival in Spain.
The film’s director Pan Nalin’s reaction after his film was selected for India’s official entry to the Oscar:
OMG! What a night this going to be! Gratitude to Film Federation of India and thank you FFI jury members. Thank you for believing in Chhello Show. Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens! @LastFilmShow1 #ChhelloShow #Oscars
— Nalin Pan (@PanNalin) September 20, 2022
