Certainly, Paheli was a pathetic film and outright flop. It was a big mistake to send it for oscar entries. BLACK was much better and could have been appreciated because of the treatment of the film. Comapred to Lagaan, Paheli was nowhere.
I agree that Paheli did not deserve to be nominated for Oscars and most of the people feel that Black should be there. Black was a very nice movie but it was inspired by a hollywood movie...I think this may be the reason they didn't send it for Oscars.
Aseem, and others who have commented, Rather than dwell on why "Paheli" did not get the nomination, and speak about contenders like "Black", "Parineeta", etc., that could/should have been sent, we should look at the rather biased way "Indian" films get selected to be sent for the Oscars. Note the emphasis on "Indian". The true representation of India's best film for any year is (for the most part) whether it gets selected for the National Film Awards. The Filmfare and other awards are more "popular" awards, which garner the biggest share of publicity and public attention. Popular, and critically aclaimed, do not always go hand in hand. Thus, when there were movies from the Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali film industries that could have been considered as "India"'s official entry for the Oscars, what got sent was the most popular movie. By the same token, movies like "American Pie", "Spiderman", all the "Batman" movies, etc., could have been considered for "Best Film" at the Oscars, but they are not. So, let's ensure we pick and send the best "Indian" movie we can send for the year, and THEN analyze what happened. For the record, "Lagaan" any day over "Paheli".
How come the select Peheli for OScar. If I think of Peheli its just see and forget. But there r other movies like BLACK which has an impact even after seenig it. Hence they should have nominated BLACK for Oscars.
Paheli is not even close to nomination for oscar. Shahrukh is not capable for oscar nomiantion. This is HOLLYWOOD not the bollywood, so you dance and dominate. Ha ha
For those who think if instead of Paheli, BLACK should be nominated, I found BLACK is too melodramatic film. Many actions are rather too much over reactions in BLACK. Problem with the Pahlei is that the plot is very nice but it is difficult for Westerners to get into it. Unfortunately main stream Hindi films are mostly made for a specific section of people in mind and with very little artistic blend or broad overview in general. Good films hardly get box office hit status. I can remember a film Thorha Sa romAni ho hjaye by Amol Plakear, it was not a box office hit but with little melodrama and definitely with a broad massage. Neither BLACK nor Paheli fall into that category.
Well its good to know that the Oscar nomination people are not as foolish as their indian couterparts to let such a movie go through to the Oscar. Wonder why it was there in the first place when we had exceptional movies like Black and Swades. Good to know atleast not all the people in the world are Foolish.
Paheli is a remake of the Kannada film NagaMandala.. the concept is fully copied from that movie.. though it is not put in same terms.. Many People don't know abt it..
Paheli not getting a oscar nomination is not a big news at all,the bigger shocking news was last year ,how it got selected to represent as India's entry in the first place over films like Iqbal. Going by the jury's usual track record,We can expect Neal'n'Nicky to be this year's entry,Come on jury shock us this time too....!!
I don't understand WHY we in India are forever begging for recognition from a bunch of western (read 'White') countries. How in the world will a bunch of old white folks brought up in rural Virginia or wherever understand what makes a billion Indians tick!! Why do we even expect them to?? I mean, does the Mumbai movie industry need them? Isn't enough money being made without ANY of their involvement? I loved a movie like Andaaz Apna Apna. Do you seriously expect some redneck in the united states to understand the humor, far less appreciate the movie? We live in two completely different worlds, and if the worlds do meet, it's an artificial situation...just not natural, not meant to happen. Why in the world should I like an idiotic movie about two gay cowboys in the middle of rural America? Is it anything that I can relate to? No. But if I do, it speaks volumes about my knowledge of their culture, language, social nuances and my open mindedness. Sadly, these are not attributes you can find in the typical white citizen of the west...yes, yes there are a few, but they are the exception and not the rule. Mumbai filmmakers need to stop the servility.
