Malayalam movie ‘2018’ out of Oscar race

Malayalam movie ‘2018-Everyone is a Hero’, based on the devastating Kerala floods is out of the Oscar race.

The Jude Anthany Joseph directorial was India's official entry to the Academy Awards 2024. However, the Oscar Academy on Friday informed that the movie has failed to make it into the next round. Meanwhile, entries from 15 other countries sailed into the next round as well. 

The Malayalam movie had become the talking point earlier this year with its very relevant theme on climate change and the travails of people vis-a-vis what has been understood as development in the society.

The Tovino Thomas and Kunchako Boban starrer film revolves around the 2018 floods that wreaked havoc in Kerala. Its ensemble cast includes Asif Ali, Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali.

With a staggering box office collection of Rs 200 crores, the film is the highest grossing Malayalam movie till date.

The shortlist also includes “Amerikatsi” (Armenia), “The Monk and the Gun” (Bhutan), “Fallen Leaves” (Finland), “The Taste of Things” (France), “The Teachers' Lounge” (Germany), “Godland” (Iceland), “Io Capitano” (Italy), “Totem” (Mexico), “The Mother of All Lies” (Morocco), “Society of the Snow” (Spain), “Four Daughters” (Tunisia) and “20 Days in Mariupol” (Ukraine).

In a post on Instagram, Joseph said the opportunity to represent India at a global platform like the Oscars was nothing short of a dream.

"I sincerely apologise to all my well-wishers and supporters for disappointing you all. Nevertheless, the opportunity to represent India in this competition has been a dream-like journey that I will cherish for a lifetime.

"Being the highest-grossing film and the official Indian entry to the Oscars is a rare achievement in any filmmaker's career. I am grateful to God for choosing me for this extraordinary journey," the filmmaker wrote. PTI