Gujarati Film 'Chhello Show' marks India's official entry to Oscar 2023

Gujarati coming-of-age drama 'Chhello show' titled as 'Last Film Show' in English directed by Pan Nalin has marked India’s official entrance into Oscar 2023. The movie will be released in theatres on October 14th.

The movie is set in a remote rural village of Saurashtra and is rumoured partly to be an autobiographical drama whose main character is a nine-year-old boy Samay.

Samay's life changes after he watches his first movie. His love for cinema begins and he bribes his way into the magical world of cinema. He gets intrigued by the first ever movie he watches and spends his entire summer watching movies from the projection booth.

'Chhello show' has managed to gain popular recognition in Indian Cinema. It has beaten movies like ‘RRR’ and ‘Kashmir Files' and become India's contender in the race to win in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars 2023.

The movie has not only won popular recognition but has also won several awards during its festival run. It managed to win a Golden Spike at the 66th Valladolid Film Festival in Spain.

This is a moment of pride for the Indian Film Industry as the last Indian movie to make it to the final five at the Oscars was Aamir Khan starrer ‘Lagaan’, released in 2001. Last year Tamil drama ‘Koozhangal’, directed by Vinothraj PS made it to the Oscars, but it did not get shortlisted.This year India is hoping for the best.

Film Director Pan Nalin expressed his sincere gratitude towards the Film Federation of India and its Jury members through a tweet saying “OMG! What a night this is going to be! Gratitude to Film Federation of India and thank you FFI jury members. Thank you for believing in the Chhello Show. Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens!”

Earlier, there were speculations of Rajamouli’s RRR nomination for Oscars 2023, however, with Chhello Show coming into play, the tables have turned.

The movie has made its debut as a dark horse in the race for Oscars. ‘Chhello show’ or the ‘Last Film Show’ will now go up against international films like Korea’s ‘Decision to Leave’ and Mexico’s ‘Bardo’ which are doing well in this race.

But nonetheless, we are rooting for the Chhello show’s success at Oscars 2023.