Oscars 2024: Malayalam Film '2018' Is India's Official Entry

The Indian entry for the Oscars next year will be a Malayalam film named 2018: Everyone is a Hero. This movie focuses on the topics of climate change and natural calamities.

The Film Federation of India has announced that the Malayalam multi-starrer survival drama 2018: Everyone is a Hero is India's official entry for the Academy Awards in 2024.

Oscars 2024: Malayalam Film 2018 Is India's Official Entry

The selection committee, led by Girish Kasaravalli, a noted filmmaker and committee chairman, chose this film for its significant theme of addressing climate change and the challenges faced by people in the context of societal development.

Tovino Thomas, one of the film's actors, expressed his pride and gratitude, stating that this recognition is not just for him but for the entire team involved in the project. He emphasised the film's portrayal of resilience and the human spirit in the face of natural disasters, hoping it would resonate with international audiences.

Ravi Kottarakara, FFI President, mentioned that a 16-member selection committee evaluated numerous films, ultimately selecting the Malayalam film directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. The movie revolves around the devastating 2018 floods in Kerala and features an ensemble cast including Tovino Thomas and Kunchako Boban.

This film was chosen from a pool of 22 entries, including films in various languages like Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, and Tamil, showcasing the diversity of Indian cinema.

A total of 22 films, including The Kerala Story, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway, Balagam (Telugu), Vaalvi and Baaplyok (Marathi), and August 16, 1947 (Tamil), were in contention for India's official entry to the Oscars.

The Malayalam film 2018 will represent India in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars, formerly known as Best Foreign Film. India has not had an entry in this category since Lagaan in 2002. Mother India and Salaam Bombay! are the only Indian films that made it to the final five in this category.

Last year's official entry from India, Chhello Show, did not secure a nomination. However, it was a significant year for Indian cinema, with Naatu Naatu from RRR winning Best Original Song and The Elephant Whisperers winning Best Documentary Short Subject. Additionally, Shaunak Sen's All That Breathes was nominated for Best Documentary Feature.

Notably, Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win an Oscar, receiving the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work in Gandhi. Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray received a Lifetime Achievement Oscar in 1992, and Slumdog Millionaire won multiple Oscars in 2009, including Best Original Song, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Mixing.

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