HYDERABAD: The Marathi film Court is India’s official entry for the Oscars. Announcing the selection in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Amol Palekar, chairman of the selection committee appointed by the Film Federation of India, said that the jury had watched nearly 30 films in all languages including recent Telugu blockbusters Baahubali and Srimanthudu.
Many had expected that Baahubali would be the jury's choice, but Court, written and directed by debutant Chaitanya Tamhane, made the cut. The film’s theme is the Indian legal system and its flaws. The story is about an old folk singer's trial in a lower court in Mumbai.
“The film reflects contemporary Indian society and it has great creative expression,” said Mr Palekar, adding that it was technically good too. The jury initially comprised 17 members, but after two members resigned due to technical reasons, 15 members watched the films and made the decision. “It was the entire jury’s decision to select the Marathi film,” added Mr Palekar.
