Indian submissions for the Oscar Award for Best International Feature Film
India has sent 57 films to represent India at the Oscar since Mother India (1957).
Most of India's submissions were Hindi films (including Hindustani films) at 34, three of which received nominations.
Tamil films were submitted by the committee on 10 occasions.
3 submissions were Marathi films, 3 Malayalam films, 2 were Bengali films.
1 movie from Telugu film, Gujarati film, Konkani film and Assamese film each.
Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray has represented India three times in this competition, the most by any director.
As actors Kamal Haasan and Raghubir Yadav have been part of seven films submitted for the consideration—more than any other performer.
Tamil actor Kamal Haasan has most often represented the country as a Lead performer, with seven films submitted—including three consecutive films between 1985 and 1987, one of which he directed himself.
Aamir Khan has represented India four times as an actor, including once as a director and thrice as a producer; Lagaan (2001), which he produced and starred in, received a nomination.
Sunil Dutt has represented India three times as an actor, including once as a director and twice as an Actor.
The Highest rated film is The World of Apu (1959) and Guru (1997) with 8.5 and the lowest rated film is Payal Ki Jhankaar with 5.7.
21 of the films are rated 8 to 8.9 out of 10 in IMDb ratings.
25 of the films are rated 7 to 7.9 out of 10 in IMDb ratings.
10 of the films are rated 6 to 6.9 out of 10 in IMDb ratings.
The main reason for India not getting Oscar till date is selection of wrong films by FFI to represent India.
Most of the Commercial Hindi films with ratings of 6 to 6.9 are wrong selection of the Jury and it is the reason only 3 films got nominated and none won the Oscar till now.
The Jury's inefficiency also exhibited in selecting remakes not accepted in Oscar like Devdas, Barfi, Newton and Gully Boy.
On the contrary many Art films made in late 70s and 80s were a better choice to represent India and get nominated and even won.
Also focus on Hindi Films Compared to Regional films specially Marathi, Malayalam and Bengali films would have improved the chance of Nomination and win as they are better reflection of India and its Culture and Tradition apart from being Original the main Criterial for Oscar Win.
Most of India's submissions were Hindi films (including Hindustani films) at 34, three of which received nominations.
Tamil films were submitted by the committee on 10 occasions.
3 submissions were Marathi films, 3 Malayalam films, 2 were Bengali films.
1 movie from Telugu film, Gujarati film, Konkani film and Assamese film each.
Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray has represented India three times in this competition, the most by any director.
As actors Kamal Haasan and Raghubir Yadav have been part of seven films submitted for the consideration—more than any other performer.
Tamil actor Kamal Haasan has most often represented the country as a Lead performer, with seven films submitted—including three consecutive films between 1985 and 1987, one of which he directed himself.
Aamir Khan has represented India four times as an actor, including once as a director and thrice as a producer; Lagaan (2001), which he produced and starred in, received a nomination.
Sunil Dutt has represented India three times as an actor, including once as a director and twice as an Actor.
The Highest rated film is The World of Apu (1959) and Guru (1997) with 8.5 and the lowest rated film is Payal Ki Jhankaar with 5.7.
21 of the films are rated 8 to 8.9 out of 10 in IMDb ratings.
25 of the films are rated 7 to 7.9 out of 10 in IMDb ratings.
10 of the films are rated 6 to 6.9 out of 10 in IMDb ratings.
The main reason for India not getting Oscar till date is selection of wrong films by FFI to represent India.
Most of the Commercial Hindi films with ratings of 6 to 6.9 are wrong selection of the Jury and it is the reason only 3 films got nominated and none won the Oscar till now.
The Jury's inefficiency also exhibited in selecting remakes not accepted in Oscar like Devdas, Barfi, Newton and Gully Boy.
On the contrary many Art films made in late 70s and 80s were a better choice to represent India and get nominated and even won.
Also focus on Hindi Films Compared to Regional films specially Marathi, Malayalam and Bengali films would have improved the chance of Nomination and win as they are better reflection of India and its Culture and Tradition apart from being Original the main Criterial for Oscar Win.
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- DirectorMehboob KhanStarsNargisSunil DuttRajendra Kumar TuliIn this melodrama, a poverty-stricken woman raises her sons through many trials and tribulations. But no matter the struggles, she always sticks to her own moral code.1st film to get Nominated.
Sunil Dutt's 1st film.
Nights of Cabiria from Italy Won Academy Award. - DirectorBimal RoyStarsDilip KumarVyjayanthimalaJohnny WalkerA young man takes shelter in a mansion when a landslide blocks his route to the railway station. Then, he finds the mansion familiar and soon learns about the story of his previous birth.My Uncle from France Won Academy Award.
- DirectorSatyajit RayStarsSoumitra ChatterjeeSharmila TagoreAlok ChakravartyThis final installment in Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy follows Apu's life as an orphaned adult aspiring to be a writer.It was the first Bengali film to be submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Satyajit Ray's 1st film.
Black Orpheus from France Won Academy Award. - DirectorK. AsifStarsPrithviraj KapoorMadhubalaDilip KumarA 16th century prince falls in love with a court dancer and battles with his emperor father.At Five O'Clock in the Afternoon from Spain Won Academy Award.
- DirectorShantaram Rajaram VankudreStarsShantaram Rajaram VankudreSandhyaRajshreeThrough a Glass Darkly from Sweden Won Academy Award.
- DirectorAbrar AlviStarsMeena KumariGuru DuttRehman KhanA lowly servant, Bhootnath gets close to the wife of his employer and narrates her story through his eyes and perspective.Sundays and Cybele from France Won Academy Award.
- DirectorSatyajit RayStarsAnil ChatterjeeMadhavi MukherjeeJaya BachchanLife at home changes when a house-wife from a middle-class, conservative family in Calcutta gets a job as a saleswoman.Satyajit Ray's 2nd film.
8½ from Itally Won Academy Award. - DirectorVijay AnandStarsDev AnandWaheeda RehmanLeela ChitnisWhen mistaken to be a sage by some villagers, an ex-tour guide reflects on his past and lost love to search for spiritual wisdom to guide the villagers.The Shop on Main Street from Czechoslovakia Won Academy Award.
- DirectorLekh TandonStarsVyjayanthimalaSunil DuttPremnath MalhotraA victory over neighboring state Vaishai has always eluded Magadh Samrat Ajaatshatru despite being winning and taking control over all neighboring states. He attacks Vaishali only get defeated again. Wounded, lost and on the run, Ajaatshatru dons the guise of a Vaishali soldier and takes shelter with a woman named Amrapali and they fall in love with each other. Ajaatshatru finds an ally in Senapati Balbadhra Singh and both start a plot to gain control of Vaishali. Vaishali Samrat comes to know about Ajaatshatru and Amrapali's liaison with him, he sentences her with a death penalty. Ajaatshatru is enraged at this, he gathers together his armies and storms the unsuspecting Vaishali and virtually burns the city down, killing almost everyone in it. This accomplished, he rushes to free his beloved from the dungeons. He does set her free but it is not the same Amrapali; this Amrapali is quite different. She is not at all thrilled to be in the presence of her conqueror lover. She teaches him what he won in the battle ground but what he lost in reality.Sunil Dutt's 2nd film.
In 1966, India sent Amrapali its official entry to the Oscars which caused a huge uproar as people felt Mrinal Sen's movie, Matira Manisha, was more deserving of this honour with a stronger story and better performances.
It won the National Film Awards 1967 (Silver Lotus for Best Odia film)
A Man and a Woman from France Won Academy Award. - DirectorChetan AnandStarsRajesh KhannaIndrani MukherjeeMaster BuntyThe illegitimate toddler son of a poor village woman and a city-based artist is lost on the streets of Bombay after his mother's untimely demise.Closely Watched Trains from Czechoslovakia Won Academy Award.
- DirectorHrishikesh MukherjeeStarsMeena KumariDharmendraLalita PawarBipinchandra breaks family tradition by marrying a city girl, Hemangini, much to the chagrin of his sister-in-law, Kadambini, and her husband, Navinchandra. Things are delicate even after both women give birth to two children each. Then Hemangini testifies against Navinchandra in Court, leading to the division of the property. Things got worse by the arrival of Kadambini's orphaned school-going step-brother, Kishan, who is beaten and abused by not only by Kadambini and Navinchandra, but also by their overweight son. When Hemangini objects to Kishan's ill-treatment, Bipin takes the side of the rest of the family, and may probably force her to abandon Kishan to his fate or divorce her.War and Peace from Soviet Union Won Academy Award.
- DirectorA.C. TrilogchanderStarsShivaji GanesanJayalalitha JPandari BaiThe story is about a father and his sons--all three roles played by Sivaji Ganesan. One son who had disappeared shortly after his birth reappears, spends time with his father, and solves the remaining problem of the family. The father tells his wife he has the perfect gift for her birthday and presents the long-lost son. At the end the long-lost son tragically dies in front of his brother and parents after saving them from the Goons.It was the first Tamil film to be submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Z from Algeria Won Academy Award. - DirectorSunil DuttStarsWaheeda RehmanSunil DuttRakhee GulzarReshma and Shera belong to rival families.They fall in love even after knowing rivalry among their families.Sagat Singh ,Shera's father doesn't accept this and forces his younger son Chotu a sharp shooter to kill Reshma's father and newly married brother Gopal.By holding a gun on his neck.Shera cant bear to see a newly weeded Gopal's wife as widow and kills his father.Also swears to kill Chotu.Sunil Dutt's 3rd film.
Amitabh Bachchan's 1st film.
In 1971, India sent Reshma Aur Sheraits official entry to the Oscars which caused a huge uproar as people felt Satyajit Ray's Pratidwandi, Mrinal Sen's movie, Ek Adhuri Kahani and Interview was more deserving of this honour with a stronger story and better performances.
Pratidwandi won three Indian National Film Awards; including the National Film Award for Best Direction in 1971 and a nomination for the Gold Hugo Award, at the Chicago International Film Festival, 1971.
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis from Italy Won Academy Award. - DirectorSudhendu RoyStarsSwarup DuttJaya BachchanSuresh ChatwalAnoop marries Minoo, a childish girl who doesn't understand her relationship with Anoop. While returning back to Calcutta, he is compelled to leave her with her mother.In 1971, India sent Uphaar its official entry to the Oscars which caused a huge uproar as people felt Hrishikesh Mukherjee 's movie, Anand, was more deserving of this honour with a stronger story that won National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
It also won 6 Filmfare Awards and Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards.
In 2013, it was listed in Anupama Chopra's book 100 Films To See before You Die.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie from France Won Academy Award. - DirectorSudhendu RoyStarsNutanAmitabh BachchanTrilok KapoorA calculative man schemes to deceit a poor but young widow for his personal monetary gains.Amitabh Bachchan's 2nd film.
In 1973, India sent Saudagar its official entry to the Oscars which caused a huge uproar as people felt Gulzar 's movie, Koshish, was more deserving of this honour with a stronger story and performances that won 2 National Awards including Best Actor Award for Sanjeev Kumar.
Koshish also won the BFJA Awards.
The Earth Is a Sinful Song from Finland Won Academy Award. - DirectorM.S. SathyuStarsBalraj SahniA.K. HangalGeeta KakIn post-partition India, a Muslim businessman and his family struggle for their rights in a country which was once their own.It was the first Urdu film to be submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Amarcord from Italy Won Academy Award. - DirectorShyam BenegalStarsGirish KarnadSmita PatilNaseeruddin ShahA young veterinary surgeon, Dr. Rao, who makes a visit to a village, where he intends to commence a co-operative society dairy for the betterment of the rural people.Madame Rosa from France Won Academy Award.
- DirectorSatyajit RayStarsSanjeev KumarSaeed JaffreyShabana AzmiIn 1856, two obsessed noblemen ignore everything while playing chess and fail to notice British rule extending into their Indian province.Satyajit Ray's 3rd film.
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs from France Won Academy Award. - DirectorSatyen BoseStarsAlankar JoshiKomal MahuvakarSurinder KaurA girl who is passionate about dance is ill treated by her relatives. She runs away from home to pursue her dream and overcomes many obstacles to become an accomplished dancer.In 1980, India sent Payal Ki Jhankaar its official entry to the Oscars which caused a huge uproar as people felt Govind Nihalani 's movie, Aakrosh, was more deserving of this honour with a stronger story and and went on to win 1980 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi .
It won the 'Golden Peacock' for the Best Film at the International Film Festival of India
It is in the list of 60 films that shaped the Indian film industry spanning six decades.
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears from Soviet Union Won Academy Award. - DirectorMahesh BhattStarsAnupam KherRohini HattangadiSoni RazdanAn old couple lend a room on rent after recent death of the bread earner of the family, their only son. A budding actress starts living with them, who is in love with a local politician's only son. The movie shows what later ensues.Dangerous Moves from Switzerland Won Academy Award.
- DirectorRamesh SippyStarsRishi KapoorKamal HaasanDimple KapadiaRaja, a fisherman is secretly in love with Mona. When wealthy Ravi comes to live with his grandmother, Kamladevi, he sees Mona and falls in love with her. Mona also reciprocates his love. Raja is devastated by this turn of events. But when Kamladevi gets to know that Ravi is seeing Mona, she puts pressure on Mona to give up Ravi and marry someone else.Kamal Hassan's 1st Film.
In 1985, India sent Saagar its official entry to the Oscars which caused a huge uproar as people felt Shyam Benegal's movie, Trikal, was more deserving of this honour with a stronger story and performances that won 2 National Award.
The film was selected for the Indian Panorama at Filmotsav 1986, and for the Indian Film Retrospective, Lisbon 1986. It was later invited to the London Film Festival 1986.
The Official Story from Argentina Won Academy Award. - DirectorK. ViswanathStarsKamal HaasanRadhika SarathkumarAllu ArjunThe story is of mentally slow man, whose life is recapped to his grand-daughter. How he meets his wife (who was a widow), earns his living and fights the injustice he and his wife face.It was the first Telugu film to be submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Kamal Hassan's 2nd Film.
The Assault from Netherlands Won Academy Award. - DirectorMani RatnamStarsKamal HaasanSaranya PonvannanDelhi GaneshA common man's struggles against a corrupt police force put him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence exact a heavy toll.Kamal Hassan's 3rd Film.
Mani Ratnam's 1st Film.
Babette's Feast from Denmark Won Academy Award. - DirectorMira NairStarsShafiq SyedAnjaanAmrit PatelYoung Krishna struggles to survive among the drug dealers, pimps, and prostitutes in the back alleys and gutters of India.2nd film to get Nominated
Nana Patekar's 1st film.
Pelle the Conqueror from Denmark Won Academy Award. - DirectorVidhu Vinod ChopraStarsJackie ShroffAnil KapoorNana PatekarA man's friend, a police officer, is assassinated by gangsters in broad daylight. He discovers that his elder brother works in the same gang and decides to avenge his friend's death by infiltrating the gang.Vidhu Vinod Chopra 1st Film.
Nana Patekar's 2nd film.
In 1989, India sent Parinda its official entry to the Oscars that failed to get even nomination.
Adoor Gopalakrishnan's movie, Mathilukal was more deserving of this honour with an original script and performance that won 4 National Award including Best Actor award for Mammootty.
The film was screened at the Venice Film Festival.
Mathilukal won 4 National Awards and FIPRESCI Prize & UNICEF Award.
On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, Forbes included Mammootty's performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".
Cinema Paradiso from Italy Won Academy Award.
