PremiumChhello Show: From staving off lions to rain fury, Dipen Raval reveals challenges faced by India’s Oscar entry
The Gujarati movie, directed by Pan Nalin, was picked by the Film Federation of India over hopefuls such as SS Rajamouli’s RRR and Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files as the country’s Oscar entry
Last Updated: 08.07 AM, Sep 22, 2022
The team of Gujarati movie Chhello Show is on cloud nine, after the film, helmed by Pan Nalin, was picked by the Film Federation of India’s jury member as the country’s Oscar entry for next year’s Academy Awards.
The movie’s lead actor Dipen Raval recently opened up on the chances of the film, which will compete in the Best International Feature Film category, winning at the 95th Academy Awards that will be heled on March 12, 2023.
Dipen, who plays the protagonist’s dad in the movie, said that he was proud to be a part of the film. “This is a dream come true for me and I am extremely happy as it’s the first time a Gujarati film is selected for the Oscars,” he told India Today.
The actor said that the team had to face several challenges while making the movie, which was shot in Amreli, Dhari, and this laurel gives those hardships meaning. “There was a time when lions had entered our sets. We shot in heavy rains as well,” he said, adding that the team had enjoyed these difficulties.
Dipen is optimistic about Chhello Show’s chances at the awards. “I am hopeful that our Gujarati movie will win the country's first Oscar Award and make our country proud,” he said. Only three films – Mother India, Salaam Mumbai and Lagaan - that have been sent by the country have been picked in the final nomination list.
While the country has had several Oscar winners including AR Rahman, Gulzar, Resul Pookutty, Bhanu Athaiya and Satyajit Ray, an Indian film is yet to win an Academy Award.
The coming-of-age drama Chhello Show, which revolves around the relationship of a father and son, talks about how the latter’s life changes after his dad takes him to watch a movie. Soon after the film was announced as India’s Oscar entry, the movie’s director Pan had tweeted his gratitude to the FFI jury members. “Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens!” wrote the filmmaker, who had previously helmed films such as Samsara and Angry Indian Goddesses.