Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy' slips Oscar race; But there's always 'Apana Time Ayega'!

Mumbai, December 17: The movie that pictures street rapper's life, fastened with the quality content, Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy', starring Ranveer Singh in the role of a budding rapper, has shockingly crashed out of the Best International Feature Film race at the Oscars after the Academy unveiled shortlists for nine categories.

 

The movie failed to make the cut in the top-10 movies that will advance to the next round of voting at the 92nd Academy Awards. With 'Gully Boy' out of the race, India's dry run at the Academy Awards continues as the country has never made it to the top five, except three occasions.

 

 

While ninety-one films were eligible in the category, the last Indian film that made it to the final five was Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Lagaan' in 2001. 'Mother India' (1958) and 'Salaam Bombay' (1989) are the other two Indian movies to have made it to the top five.

 

It was in September this year when Gully Boy was selected as India's official entry to Oscars. After the announcement of Gully Boy going to the Oscars 2020, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt took to social media to express their excitement. The actors shared a note thanking the Film Federation of India for selecting Gully Boy as India's offical entry to Oscars 2020. They also congratulated the cast and crew of the film for the selection.

The note read, "We are so thrilled that #GullyBoy has been selected as India's official entry to the 92nd Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. Thank you to the Film Federation of India, Aparna Sen, Supran Sen, Anindya Dasgupta, members of the jury and a big congratulations to the spectacular cast and crew." Ranveer Singh shared the note with the caption, "Apna Time Aayega."

A Bollywood movie about a rapper from the slums may sound derivative, but 'Gully Boy' reveled in high-wattage screen chemistry and an inclusive social message, all served up in a slickly enjoyable production showcasing Ranveer Singh’s many charms. Zoya Akhtar’s most accomplished film to date is a mainstream rap musical about a Muslim guy from working-class Mumbai determined to break free from the strictures of expectation and class, all served up with generous helpings of deftly written hip-hop lyrics and a largely well-woven narrative.

 

However, the films that have made the cut are, South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's much touted class satire 'Parasite', Pedro Almodovar's Spanish feature 'Pain and Glory', 'The Painted Bird' from Czech Republic, Estonia's 'Truth and Justice', 'Les Miserables' from France, 'Those Who Remained' from Hungary, North Macedonia's 'Honeyland', 'Corpus Christi' from Poland, 'Beanpole' from Russia and 'Atlantica' from Senegal.