Mumbai: When the Film Federation of India(FFI) announced Liar's Dice as India's official entry to the Oscars on Tuesday morning, the film fraternity was prompt to react. While some chose to congratulate Malyalam film-maker Geetu Mohandas, other expressed their disappointment at FFI's selection for the 87th Academy Awards.
Really happy for #GeethuMohandas' #LiarsDice's selection as #India's official #Oscar entry. Won Best Film & Actress awards @nyindianff 2014.
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) September 23, 2014'Liar's Dice' starring Geetanjali Thapa and Nawazuddin Siddiqui was one among the 30 submissions to be India's selection for an Oscar nomination in the Foriegn language category. It competed against films such as 'Fandry' (Marathi), 'Yellow' (Marathi), 'Jaatishwar' (Bengali), 'Shahid'(Hindi), 'Mary Kom'( Hindi), 'Ankhon Dekhi'(Hindi) and several others. The film has already made rounds at film festivals like the Sundance Film Festival and International Film Festival Rotterdam. 'Liar's Dice', which is about a woman who sets out to find her missing husband, has also won the National award for best actress and best cinematography award to Mohandas' cinematographer husband Rajeev Ravi. India has never won an Oscar in the best foreign film category. The last Indian film that made it to the final five nominees at the Oscars was Ashutosh Gowariker' 'Lagaan'.
While the film released across Kerala last week and a few cinema halls across Pune, Film-maker Hansal Mehta took to social networking website Twitter and questioned the entry - Its lovely to know that the stunning 'Liar's Dice' is the official entry to the Oscars 2015. Question to FFI is - Has the film been released? The selection has not gone down too well with some film-makers, who expected their film to make the cut. Among others Nilesh Navlakha, the producer of 'Fandry', posted on Facebook - “The question remains as to how the film, which was not commercially released, was selected as an Oscar entry. I heard that it was released in just 2-3 centres in Kerala and somewhere else. Was it staged? A more transparent selection process is required because this film will represent India and not any film body. Anyway, we have a history of sending films which have not been recognized at the national level. No complaints, but need to check the credibility of organisation sending films for Oscars.”
Its lovely to know that the stunning Liar's Dice is the official entry to the Oscars 2015. Question to FFI is - Has the film been released?
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 23, 2014-
Mehta went to express his disillusionment with the selection process, a thought which echoed last year when film-makers Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap expressed their disbelief as 'The Lunchbox' was not selected as India's representative to compete for the best foreign film category at the Oscars. 'Shahid' director went to extend his speech on Twitter :
About time this whole Oscar entry business is taken away from FFI. And a more transparent process is followed by a more qualified body.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 23, 2014Disillusioned with the FFI but consoled that at least a good film has been chosen to represent India at the Oscars. All the best #LiarsDice
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 23, 2014It makes you question the process and the individuals involved. Why is there a 'secret jury'? Why are the jury names never revealed?
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 23, 2014So close.. :)) "The two films that we discussed a lot apart from Liar's Dice were Hindi films Shahid and Ankhon Dekhi. " Hariharan told PTI.
— Rajat Kapoor (@mrrajatkapoor) September 24, 2014Whichever side you're on, let's hope FFI's chosen one will bring 'Liar's Dice' to a nearby cinema. Maybe the fact that Siddiqui was last seen opposite Salman Khan in 'Kick' will work in 'Liar's Dice' favour. Perhaps some of the Bollywood celebrities who were moaning last year about how good films are being sidelined in India, will root for Mohandas's film and help it get a proper release.
