2018: Everyone is a Hero, based on the Kerala floods, is India’s official entry to the Academy Awards 2024, the Film Federation of India announce. Girish Kasaravalli, said filmmaker and chairperson of the selection committee, said the 16-member jury select the Malayalam film to represent India.
Girish Kasaravalli said they had a lengthy discussion before choosing 2018 to represent India at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Girish Kasaravalli said :
“It was a pan-Indian selection. And we were happy that there were 16 members and we watched 22 films in one week’s time. It was a difficult decision because there were so many good films and we had to analyse to find out which film had better merit. Finally, we decided on 2018: Everyone is a Hero,”.
“Indian ethos, situation and people”.
“It’s a film that talks about a calamity that Kerala faced in 2018. It not only represents India but also the calamity that’s happening around the world. The film also excels cinematically and technically,”.
“Such messages are link to climate change and the so-called development,”.
Lead star Tovino Thomas, who is currently in Amsterdam for the Septimius Awards where he won the Best Asian Actor trophy for 2018, said it was time for celebration for the team.
Tovino Thomas said :
“I was very happy last night and woke up even happier to this exciting news as our film 2018 has been selected as India’s official entry (to the Oscars). We worked in extreme conditions but it’s all paying off. This movie is now getting international acclaim. It’s great,”.
“I’m not with the team to celebrate this moment. But this definitely calls for a celebration,”.
He said the announcement came as a happy surprise.
Tovino Thomas said :
“It was such a happiness that our film is going for the Oscars as the country’s official entry,”.
Ravi Kottarakara, FFI president, said as many as 22 titles including Hindi films The Kerala Story, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Gadar 2, Zwigato, The Vaccine War, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, as well as Balagam (Telugu), Vaalvi (Marathi), Baaplyok (Marathi), and August 16, 1947 (Tamil) were also in the running.
But the jury unanimously chose 2018.
2018 also stars Tanvi Ram, Kunchako Boban, and Aparna Balamurali.
In June 2023, the makers claim that the film had cross over Rs. 200 crore at the box office to become the highest-grossing film in Malayalam cinema.
FFI, a body of producers, exhibitors, studio owners, and distributors decides India’s official entry to the Oscars for the best international feature category.
In 2022, RRR and The Elephant Whisperers, the two Indian films which won the Best Original Song and Best Documentary Short, were sent to the Oscars directly by the makers, but India’s official entry in the International Film category, Gujarati film Chhello Show (Last Film Show), fail to make the cut in the final five nominations.
The 96th Academy Awards are schedule to take place on 10th March, 2024 in Los Angeles.
The last Indian film that made it to the final five was the Aamir Khan-led Lagaan in 2001.
