India without a doubt has made some great movies but none are Oscar nomination-worthy. Bollywood is highly known for making larger-than-life movies which have no plot. No matter the production cost, some movies’ sensibility is zero. The Indian movies did make some global waves but the track record of Oscar nominations is modest. You will barely find movies that have authenticity and a realistic approach to their plot in Indian cinema. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that once in a blue moon Bollywood makes a movie that shows the true Indian culture and is rooted in the emotional depth of its characters.
The Indian cinema focuses more on star cast power than its content. Mostly Indian films struggle to find a balance between core content and melodrama. And if not both, it turns out to be a highly commercial film. The last Indian Film to be nominated for the Oscars was Aamir Khan’s 2001 movie “Lagaan”. The Lagaan actor recently in an interview with BBC Asia showed his disagreement with Shahrukh Khan’s opinion on India’s low Oscars record. Earlier Shahrukh Khan said that Indian Cinema should tilt towards global or western aspects of entertainment. He said that sometimes adapting from their format wouldn’t be that bad.
Disagreeing with Shahrukh Khan’s take on the Oscars, The Laal Singh actor said, “No, I don’t agree. I don’t agree. Because Lagaan was three hours and 42 minutes. And it had six songs. And it got nominated. To get nominated, the members really have to love your film. Lagaan proves that a film with songs, which is also very long, is not a problem for the Academy members. According to me, it depends on how good your work is, and how you’re able to touch hearts. Members are also human beings at the end of the day. You have to accept that other countries are also making equally good films.”
Reading Aamir Khan’s statement, I do agree with the fact that Bollywood does fail at making content-driven cinema. Aamir Khan’s produced “Laapataa Ladies” was selected as India’s entry for the Oscars Best Feature Film. Of all the movies India has entered into the Oscars, Laapataa Ladies seems to have the highest number of chances to earn even a nomination. Every character in the movie played the part it should’ve been, which is what it takes to make a good movie. When the prop in the frame contributes to the movie.
