‘Paheli’ for Oscar raises eyebrows
Bollywood Desk

BOMBAY—And ‘Paheli’ it is. The Shah Rukh Khan-Rani Mukherjee starrer which sank at the box-office is back in the news being India’s official entry to the 2006 Academy Awards. Though whether the film will finally make it to the Oscar nominations’ list is anybody’s guess, it’s celebration time for now. Mol Palekar’s ‘Paheli’ is the chosen one. Selected as India’s official entry for the Oscar’s, the film has beat works like ‘Black’, ‘Swades’ and ‘Iqbal’ to the post. So what made ‘Paheli’ stand out?
“We told ourselves that we will look at a film with the objective of technical excellence. So that was number one in our mind. Then the true representative of the region that the film comes from. So I think the film that we have chosen is absolutely the true representative. I know that this decision has raised many an eyebrow but this is the decision of the committee and we think that it’s a good choice,” says Vinod Pande, Chairperson of Film Federation of India.
And yes, a number of people in the industry have been shocked. Sanjay Leela Bhansali whose film was also in the race says, “I don’t have words to say anything. ‘Black’ got standing ovation all around the world, but if not ‘Black’ I guess, ‘Iqbal’, ‘Swades’ or ‘Hazaroon Khwaishe Aisi’ should have been chosen.” Another film-maker whose film was in the nomination — Madhur Bhandarker says, “ What should I say! I admire Amolji’s work and wish him all the best!!” Subhash Ghai doesn’t seem surprised at all. “The entire culture, theme, colour, language used in the film were Indian and therefore I agree with the jury’s decision. I wanted to work creatively which I got by working on ‘Iqbal’.”
Talking of ‘Paheli’, Shah Rukh Khan’s presence didn’t save the film from bombing at the box-office back home, the film boasted a great run in the US and the UK. But now the task at hand for Palekar is to ensure that the film catches the Oscar jury’s eye. “I have no idea on how lobbying and presentation is to be done. But I will ask Ashutosh (Gowarikar), Aamir (Khan) and Sandeep Sawant...I will consult all those who have been there. Then Shah Rukh and I will decide what steps have to be taken further.” For the actor whose company also produced the film is quite excited. “I know that in India the film just did an average run, but the theme was purely Indian and that’s why I think it has been chosen. I always believed in the film and I hope we hold our flag high,” says Shah Rukh Khan.
So, after popping the champagne, it’s time for Palekar and Khan to sit down and solve the puzzle of bringing home that elusive Oscar.