Newton: Rajkummar Rao-starrer is India’s official entry to the Academy Awards -

Rajkummar Rao is still to gauge the Indian audience’s reaction to ‘Newton’ which release today, while the film is already on its way to the Academy Awards! Sharing the news, an elated Rajkummar states, “I am very happy to share this news that ‘Newton’ is India’s official entry to the Oscars this year! Congratulations to the entire team!” Directed by Amit V Masurkar, ‘Newton’ traces the journey of an honest election officer, who attempts to conduct fair electoral in the Naxal affected area of Chhatisgarh.

The Film Federation of India’s selection committee of 14 members, under the chairman CV Reddy, unanimously voted for ‘Newton’ to be sent to Oscars 2018 from among 26 films. Aanand L Rai has joined hands with producer Manish Mundra of Drishyam Films to present ‘Newton’. Expressing his happiness about the film being India’s official entry to the Oscars for 2018, Rai tweeted, “While typing this tweet, I feel so emotional. Yes, ‘Newton’ is India’s official entry to Oscars this year. I am so proud of Amit Masurkar and Rajkummar Rao.” A political satire, ‘Newton’ has received several accolades at international film festivals before being selected for the Academy Awards by the Indian government.

Academy Awards nominee ‘Newton’ had its world premiere at the 67th Berlin Film Festival and won International Federation of Art Cinemas (CICAE) Award in the Forum section in February. The film also won Jury prize for Best Film at Hong Kong International Film Festival in April. ‘Newton’ has also been screened at Tribeca Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival among others. Apart from Rajkummar Rao, ‘Newton’ stars Sanjay Mishra, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil and Raghubir Yadav.

Congratulations from many celebs and cinema stars from the fraternity poured in in abundance wishing ‘Newton’ and team for its Oscar entry:

Hansal Mehta:
‘Newton’ is India’s entry to the Oscars. The best choice in years by the federation.

Akshay Kumar:
‘Newton’ as India’s official entry to the Oscars! Congratulations, Aanand L Rai, Rajkummar Rao and team. Can imagine the joy you all must be feeling.

Farhan Akhtar:
All the best, team ‘Newton’. May the apple fall in India’s basket this time.

Anupam Kher:
Congratulations, team ‘Newton’ for the film being selected as India’s official entry for Oscars. Jai Ho.

Dia Mirza:
So proud and happy for you all! More power to good stories.

Bhumi Pednekar:
Well deserved and congratulations, team ‘Newton’.

Indian films at the Oscars

In 1957, ‘Mother India’ became the first Indian film to be nominated at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Apart from the Mehboob Khan-directed epic, only two other films have been nominated at the prestigious Academy Awards – ‘Salaam Bombay!’ in 1988 and ‘Lagaan’ in 2001. The 90th Academy Awards will be presented by Jimmy Kimmel on March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

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