The Malayalam language film 2018: Everyone is a Hero, starring the actor Tovino Thomas, has been officially selected as India's entry for the 2024 Academy Awards.
On Wednesday, Girish Kasaravalli, an internationally renowned director of films in the Kannada language and chairman of the 16-member selection committee, revealed that 2018 had been nominated, emphasising that the film had been chosen for its powerful portrayal of the impact of climate change.
The film was a phenomenal success at the box office becoming not only the highest-grossing film to have been made in the Malayalam language, but also one of the top earners in Indian cinema this year.
However, its eligibility for the award relies solely on its selection for the final Oscar nomination list.
However, its eligibility for the award relies solely on its selection for the final Oscar nomination list.
Jude Anthany Joseph, the film's director, brings a gripping story to life with the celebrated Thomas portraying a young man who, armed with a forged medical certificate, bravely moves on from leaving the Indian Army to finding redemption in the face of devastating floods.
The film also stars Asif Ali, Lal Narain, Kunchacko Boban, and Aparna Balamurali in principal roles.
As many as 22 films including The Kerala Story, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, Balagam (in Telugu), Vaalvi and Baaplyok (both in Marathi), and Tamil film August 16, 1947 were considered.