Besides Court, India’s official entry for the Oscar awards, a number of regional films are vying for a place in the final list of nominations. (Court producer Vivek Grover on the film’s journey to the Oscars here.) Among Indian regional films, Malayalam film Jalam, directed by Padmakumar, Kannada film Rangi Taranga, and Konkani film Nachom-ia Kumpasar are the main contenders for a nomination to the 88th Academy Awards.
According to an IANS report, compositions from Jalam and the Indo-Australian film Salt Bridge are among the 74 songs contending for a nomination in the ‘Best Original Song’ category. Three songs from Jalam are in the running – Bhoomiyilenghanumundo Koodu Vaykkan, Pakalppaathi Chaari and Yaathra Manoradhamerum.
The Kannada film Rangi Taranga, directed by debutante Anup Bhandari, is a mystery-thriller which has received an overwhelmingly positive response from both audiences and critics. The central character Gautam is a novelist, who encounters strange occurrences in a village. Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowarikar plans to remake the film in Hindi. Jalam (Water), starring Priyanka Nair and Jain Syriac, is a gripping tale of a widow’s survival. Nachom-ia-Kumpasar, directed by Bardroy Barretto, is a tribute to unsung Goan musicians of the 1960s and 1970s. The movie is a contender for the ‘Best Foreign Film’ award, and for the ‘Best Background Score’ award.
The final awards nominations will be announced on January 14, 2016. The ceremony will be held on February 28, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
