Gujarati Film 'Chhello Show' Is India's Official Entry To Oscars

India's official entry to the 95th Academy Awards, popularly known as The Oscars, will be Gujarati coming-of-age drama Chhello Show. Also known as the Last Film Show, the movie focuses on the dreams of a young boy who is fascinated by the cinema and wants to become a storyteller.

In 2021 the Indian cinema saw many blockbuster releases that won the hearts of the audience. Films like RRR, The Kashmir Files, Sardar Udham Singh and Shershah were some of the celebrated movies that received positive reviews from critics and viewers. However, when it came to deciding India's entry for the coming Oscar Awards of 2023, the movie that beat the big names was the Gujarati drama Chhello Show, also known as Last Film Show. The critically acclaimed film will be representing India in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars in 2023.

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Gujarati Film 'Chhello Show' Is India's Oscar Entry 2023

The movie is the story of a nine-year-old boy from a small village Chalala in Saurashtra, Gujarat. He is introduced to the world of cinema by his parents and grows to become extremely fond of watching movies. His father doesn't allow him to watch films and tells him to focus on studying instead of sneaking away to watch films. However, he cracks a deal with a projectionist who lets him watch movies in exchange for homemade food which changes his course of life.

The movie is written, directed and produced by Pan Nalin and stars Bhavin Rabari, Bhavesh Shrimali, Dipen Raval, Paresh Mehta and Richa Meena. It premiered on June 10, 2021, at the 20th Tribeca Film Festival. Pan Nalin took to his Twitter to announce the selection as he wrote, "OMG! What a night this going to be! Gratitude to the 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"

Chhello Show had to compete against some top charting films like RRR during selections. Other international movies nominated in the category include Decision To Leave from South Korea and Bardo from Mexico.