Mumbai: The Film Federation of India (FFI) has announced that the Malayalam film ‘2018 Everyone is a Hero’ will represent India in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2024. The film is based on the devastating floods that hit Kerala in 2018 and the stories of resilience and courage of the people who survived them.
The film, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph and written by Akhil P. Dharmajan, features an ensemble cast of Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Lal, and others. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing over Rs 100 crore at the box office and becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time. The film also received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the disaster and its aftermath, as well as its message of hope and humanity.
The film was chosen from among 22 films that were submitted for consideration, including The Kerala Story (Hindi), Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway (Hindi), Balagam (Telugu), Valavi (Marathi), Baplyok (Marathi) and August 16, 1947 (Tamil). The selection committee, headed by noted filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, said that the film was picked for its very relevant theme on climate change and its impact on society.
The film is the third Malayalam film to be selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars, after Guru (1997) and Adaminte Makan Abu (2011). However, no Indian film has ever won or been nominated in this category. The last Indian film to make it to the shortlist was Lagaan in 2002. The final nominations for the Oscars 2024 will be announced on January 25, 2024. The awards ceremony will take place on February 27, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
