Kiccha Sudeep’s Vikrant Rona makes the cut for Oscar qualification

It is a proud moment for Kannada cinema, when not one, but two films make the cut for Oscar qualification. Earlier today, it was revealed that Rishab Shetty’s Kantara is among the 301 films that will be up for voting by the 9,579 members of the Academy for nominations in two categories – Best Actor (Rishab Shetty) and Best Film. Turns out, Kantara is in good company.

Anup Bhandari’s Vikrant Rona has also made the cut for Best Film consideration. The film, is among 11 from India, that will be up for voting between January 12 and 17. Reacting to the news, Anup wrote, “Happy to see @VikrantRona in the #Oscar list after @RangiTaranga in 2016. Also happy to see @KantaraFilm. 2 Kannada films 🙌. Congrats to the team @KicchaSudeep @nirupbhandari @neethaofficial @AJANEESHB @shivakumarart @williamdaviddop @neethavshetty #Ashik #Nirmal.” Interestingly, the common factor of both Kannada films that are on the Oscar long-list of eligible movies, is composer B Ajaneesh Loknath.

The Oscar reminder list includes 11 films from India. India’s official entry Chhello Show, The Next Morning, Me Vasantrao, Rocketry, Gangubhai Kathiawadi, Iravin Nizhal, Kantara, The Kashmir Files, RRR, Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi and Vikrant Rona. The official Oscar nominations will be announced on January 24.

Vikrant Rona was Kiccha Sudeep’s much anticipated 3D fantasy action flick, in which he played the title role. The story revolved the mysterious disappearances of young children in a village called Kamarottu. As the new police inspector in town, it is up to Vikrant Rona to get to the bottom of this mystery. But as he unravels it bit by bit, it begins to hit a lot closer to home. Whether he can close the case, after all, forms the crux of the narrative.

The film had opened to mixed reviews, especially in Karnataka, where audiences found the story and narrative way too similar to the director’s debut movie, Rangitaranga. Eventually, Anup admitted that he set the story in his Rangitaranga universe.