This Tamil Film Is India’s Official Entry To The Oscars This Year!

Tamil film ‘Koozhangal’ (Pebbles) helmed by debutant director PS Vinothraj is India’s official entry to the Oscars this year. The film was produced and presented by Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan under their banner, Rowdy Pictures, has beaten 14 other Indian films in the race to the world’s most coveted awards. Producer Vignesh Shivan took to social media to share the news along with a caption that only screams ecstatic! ‘Koozhangal‘ also won the prestigious Tiger Award at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam this year.

Among the 14 films shortlisted this year, were some top notch ones like Malayalam film ‘Nayattu’, Tamil film ‘Mandela’ and the Vicky Kaushal starrer, ‘Sardar Udham’. A 15-member selection committee watched all the 14 films and reportedly, the decision to select ‘Koozhangal’ for the Oscars was unanimous. The film explores the relationship between a violent, alcoholic father and his son. The man’s wife leaves him due to repeated abuse, however, how the father-son duo win back her trust forms the crux of the story.

Starring newcomers Chellapandi and Karuththadaiyaan in the lead, ‘Koozhangal’ will now represent India in the International Feature Film category at the 94th Academy Awards. This is indeed a matter of pride especially for the debutant director who’s deep understanding of cinema is evident from the opening scene of the film itself. ‘Koozhangal’ is apparently based on a true incident from director Vinothraj’s family, that inspired him to spin it into the plot for his first film. The Academy Awards for 2021 is scheduled to be held on March 27, 2022, in Los Angeles and we have our fingers crossed!