Malayalam film '2018' is India's official entry to Oscars 2024

Multi-starrer survival drama 2018-Everyone is a Hero, is India's official entry to the Academy Awards 2024, the Film Federation of India announced here on Wednesday.The Malayalam film, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, is a survival drama about the 2018 Kerala floods.

 

After wooing audiences across the country with its incredible story and performances since its release in theatres and on OTT, 2018: Everyone is a Hero will represent India at the Academy Awards that are scheduled for March 2024. Oscars 2024 are slated for March 10 2024, in Los Angeles.

 

The film was initially released in Malayalam and later in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Besides Thomas, the film's star cast includes Kunchako Boban, Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali. 2018: Everyone is a Hero is based on a story out of the devastating 2018 Kerala floods that left at rail of destruction and loss across the state. Even though spirits of the country were shaken, from Kerala emerged stories that etched themselves in the archives of heroism.

 

 

Tovino said in a statement, “Being chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars is truly an incredible recognition for our film. It’s not just a moment of pride for me as an actor , but for the entire team that poured their heart and soul into this project. 2018 is a reflection of the resilience and indomitable spirit of the people of Kerala in the face of one of the most devastating natural disasters of our time. Through the film, we aim to remind everyone that amidst the chaos and destruction, there is always a glimmer of hope, and it’s the human spirit that shines the brightest. This nomination serves as a shining example of our collective efforts, and I am hopeful that it will resonate with the international audience, just as it did with our own.”

 

The FFI had invited applications from Indian films between August 15 to September 10. As many as 22 films including The Kerala Story (Hindi), Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (Hindi), Balagam (Telugu),Vaalvi (Marathi), Baaplyok (Marathi) and August 16, 1947 (Tamil) were considered before picking the Malayalam flick, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph.