I have read your article. It is absolutely true that 'Devdas' didn't stand a chance at the Oscars. Inspite of the fact, it was sent as the official entry from India. India is one of the largest producer of films in the world, and it is sad to note that the jury couldn't select any other better film than 'Devdas'. Many Indians themselves didn't like the movie. It is a good creation with mind-boggling sets and costumes. Nothing beyond that. The jury must be careful from now, and should look upto films of other languages than Hindi. I hope we'll have a good chance next year at the Oscars.
I think the committee that selects the film for the Oscars could have been less hypocrite and selected a film that's been told well, instead of going for film that supposedly represents out culture. 'Company' was better choice, but perhaps the committee didn't select the film as it was about gansgters. But selecting a film on gansgters, if it's a good film, shouldn't be a problem as the merits of the film is supposed to be taken into consideration and not whether or not it represents India or Indianness in a better light. Devdas has nothing except glamour in the movie. What a waste of money it was!
to be honest with you . I dint like the movie myself..and I should as we Indian freak out on love stories. I agree with the story here ..It was really loud movie with way too many dances...without really being a musical. And way too much anger to be a love story. Basically such a beutiful novel was turned into a sorry but beautiful to look at film
It is good to see that Devdas was not nominated in the foreign category. At least for a change now, Shahrukh Khan would not get any award. He has this habit of manipulating awards be it Filmfare or any other award. Who know he might get Arjuna award for Devdas(in case he is able to manipulate the officials).
Its pity that good deserving movies like Manirathnam's Kannathil Muttam Ittal, Raj Kumar Santhoshi's The legend of Bhagat Singh doesn't get promoted. They would have stood a good chance in the race for the Oscar's. While all that devdas had was exotic sets floating in money. Its pity that we had to lose out inspite of having some of the best in us and not putting forth it.
Lagaan was sent to Oscar not just because it was the best movie of that year, it was also because it was the most popular movie. That's one rare combo. Probabaly there was a better malayalam movie or some other language art film would have been a better nomination compared to Lagaan. But the big question is 'who knows about those movies?'. India's best directors like Shyam benegal/Govind Nihalani/Adoor Gopalakrishnan/Jayarajaj are seen as museum pieces.
In that league, Mani rathnam stands out. He makes movies that stand out and to some extent reach the masses too. Kannathil Muthamittal is definitely a better made movie and had a original story and theme.
In my opinion if Lagaan has got the Oscars last time around, it would have been nice but it would have also been a slap in the face of Directors who contiue to make better movies that represent India's diversity and culture.
Its simply pathetic that a nation of 1 billion and one with the largest film industry, can choose to represent itself with a "Fashion Show" like Devdas in the garb of a movie.
There was no reason why a masterpiece like Devdas could not have been transfomed into an Oscar worthy film. To our misfortune the story was butchered by an incompetent director.
Alas another year gone. Another opportunity missed. And yet another year when a Chinese film became a hot favourite for an Oscar.
