National award-winning Malayalam film Adaminte Makan Abu, which deals with the struggle of a poor perfume seller to collect money for Haj, has been named India's official entry for this year's Oscars.
The movie, written, directed and co-produced by debut filmmaker Salim Ahamed, is a family drama starring Salim Kumar and Zarina Wahab.
The film recently won four National awards including Best Feature film and Best Actor for Salim, who essayed the lead role of the struggling unani medicine and perfume salesman.
Supran Sen, chairman of Film Federation of India, the body that selects movies for Oscars, told PTI, "Adaminte Makan Abu has been selected as India's official entry for the Oscars. The film beat 15 other movies in consideration."
It was selected ahead of films like No One Killed Jessica, 7 Khoon Maaf andDhobi Ghat (all Hindi), Rajinikanth-starrer Enthiran, KO and Aadukalam(Tamil) and Moner Manush (Bengali), chairman of Oscar nominations Committee of FFI, B Lenin, told reporters in Chennai.
"It is a simple story which describes human values," Lenin said while explaining the rationale behind nominating the film, whose music scored by Isaac Thomas Kottukkapally also won the National Award. Madhu Ampat who wielded the camera won the National Award for cinematography.
Other films received by the committee were Guzaarish, Chillar Party and I am Kalam (all Hindi), Deiva Thirumagan, and Muran (Tamil), Urumi(Malayalam), Mala Aai Vhhaychy (Marathi) and Alla Modalaindi (Telugu).
Adaminte Makan Abu (Abu, Son of Adam) is a simple yet evocative articulation of humanist values.
Salim and Zarina sell all their belongings but are not able to collect enough money for Haj. Abu (Kumar) even cuts off the tree in front of his house. Later, he regrets his selfish act and plants a sapling and prays at a mosque on the Haj morning.
Meanwhile, FFI vice-president Ravi Kottarakkara appealed for central government help -- "physical and financial" --when Indian entries are sent for the prestigious Oscars, saying it involved a lot of input cost.
"The government should extend physical and financial help as costs relating to press shows, screenings and related activities work up to at least Rs 3-4 crore," he said.
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