So what are the chances of Tare Zameen Par to get a nomination or even better, win the Oscar for best foreign language film category ? First my usual rant. The Oscars do NOT represent the ultimate in films of that year. 85% of the foreign language films are not even seen by the voters. There are beautiful Vietnamese, African, South American, Japanese and other Asian films that are absolute treasures that just pass by without notice, because there is no one to back them.
TZP has a great theme, it is emotionally moving and has a brilliant performance at it’s centre. That should be good enough to get it nominated. Especially as autism is a subject that in the US (where all the voters live) has been the subject of a very volatile debate recently. So it should at least get a nomination. I suspect that most films this year will be political in nature given what the world is going through. So TZP will stand out……
However – I have not seen the other films and a lot depends on what else is out there. Also, being the first of it’s kind in India, the script of TZP naturally hits the whole concept a bit hard on its head. It was needed it here I think. But the central performance is as subtle and believable as any I have ever seen. So it kind of balances that out.
A lot depends on how Aamir approaches the politics of nominations, how much attention and support he can lobby for. Yes, lobbying is an important part of being nominated. I have seen Aamir at work before. When he wants to do something he is relentless. I hope he wins. he deserves to.
But next year will be fascinating. I have seen so many really good films out there made by new directors. Expect an almighty political battle for India’s nomination next year. And why not ? A win or a nomination adds substantially to the International Box Office.
Shekhar, I had written up something similar a few days ago.
http://www.onlythismatters.com/2008/09/why-taare-zameen-par-is-not-for-oscars.html
As much as I love Aamir’s movie making sensibilities and the movie itself, I beleive the Oscars jury has quite a few blind spots to deal with. Assuming the movie gets enough ‘eyeballs’ I think a nomination is very likely. However inspite of the subtle performances the movie is pitched a little high on sentimentality for the western audience. Its a brilliant movie but in my opinion not the right jury.
Shekhar, I had written up something similar a few days ago.
http://www.onlythismatters.com/2008/09/why-taare-zameen-par-is-not-for-oscars.html
As much as I love Aamir’s movie making sensibilities and the movie itself, I beleive the Oscars jury has quite a few blind spots to deal with. Assuming the movie gets enough ‘eyeballs’ I think a nomination is very likely. However inspite of the subtle performances the movie is pitched a little high on sentimentality for the western audience. Its a brilliant movie but in my opinion not the right jury.
shekhar
am working on a book broadly on the theme – ‘What can New Marketing learn from Bollywood’!
Wanted to interview you in this regard. When and how could I get in touch with you? Am based in Bombay…Would really appreciate if you could give some time
Manish
Sir,
I totally subscribe to your observation not that whether I actually qualify to comment about OSCARS or no?
Since Disney’s have taken the Home Video Rights I believe some push will be generated to mark up their Sales too.
I wish if you could read M’am ‘De’s opinion on her blog about TZP. She has her own perspective.
I wish this happens this time for us.
Vinod Agarwal – Invested Money and sacrificed Morals to collect all possible Oscar nominated DVD and it continues. Obviously unbranded count 2k plus.
I am sorry but that movie is no better than any other standard Bollywood trash. It just has a theme that was designed to make sentimental old ladies cry throughout the movie. The kid is dyslexic not autistic, but either way, I’d expect a lot more subtlety in film making for a movie to be nominated for any award. There are fanatastic Asian movies as you point out – and some pretty well made Indian movies. It’s the lobbyism that sends movies to nominations, not their appeal. I am not even sure this movie qualifies to be nominated because it was released Dec 2007…
TZP Deserves Oscar
YES, It all depends on Lobbying
Absolute right connections
“Aamir approaches the politics of nominations, how much attention and support he can lobby for. Yes, lobbying is an important part of being nominated.”
We hope Aamir and the entire team puts their best foot forward NOW.
Dear Shekhar,
Taare Zameen Par is a masterpiece. I am not a very emotional person but I had tears in my eyes while watching that movie. Aamir is one of the finest actors we have who also has a good marketing sense. I’m sure he’ll be able to lobby hard for his film. India should be proud of this entry. But as you said, a lot will depend on what else is out there.
Btw, what’s happening with your film, Paani? Can you update us about what stage that project is at? And why aren’t you on Facebook yet! 🙂
Cheers!
Navin
Another bomb in Delhi …
I am numbed by all that happens each day around us.
Numbed
Angry
Frustrated
Why people are not taking action to stop it.
Reading this hurts more:
“We need the force and the will to fight this and not necessarily through violence. We need to educate the masses for them to see through all this with intelligence. We need to educate those that have drifted for them to see the futility. We need to understand them and they to understand us. A mix of compassion and force. Of love and determined mind.
Someone do that for us. Please !!”
VIOLENCE HAS TO END
People have to stand up
Its high time Now
We did it here and made people to be part of it
“Community Holds Vigil for Indian Terror Victims”
How many later read this and
Hope many more can stand up
Please check details here:
Community Holds Vigil for Indian Terror Victims
http://www.ourdigitalvision.com/news
We are so proud that all those leaders from the City I love the most were there, on very busy day before rushing to another event. City of San Jose has Free Speech area for such causes. Sure people in India can now do similar efforts…
Busy, Busy …. But where the Community is concerned, everyone here manages to find time and supports it, such is the beautiful approach of the people.
Let this be motivation for YOU, YOUR TEAM and others to do something than sit and talk about it.
Few more events are planned I shall post the info here soon to motivate
At this hour we all are sad and wish actions are taken to stop it.
ENOUGH is ENOUGH
NO MORE VOILENCE
How many know that Sunnyvale city believes and follows so much what Great Mahatama Gandhi has offered this world …
Busy Life continues …
Everyone,
Please Think ?
How do you want to be known as ?
Choice is Yours …
The efforts and care for the community …
Please check the details here:
Gandhi Day – Non Violence & Peace Day
http://www.upana.org/events-gandhiday08
Let this be motivation for others to do something
TIME HAS COME
WHILE GLORIOUS, GOLDEN ERA INDIA IS HEADING FOR
PEOPLE HAVE TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER
Shekhar Sir,
I want to know about the movie “Masoom” and whether it was selected/nominated for Oscar or not ?
Please tell us more about the making of “Masoom”
🙂
shekhar, taare zameen par is a lovely film…..
yet, amir khan has always mantained that he is not bothered about awards is’nt it ?
i can see where he is coming from ,coz ,anyone who has confidence in his work and talents is happy enough to see the audiences filling up the theatres to see his film…….after which an award ,which is most likely an acquisition of lobbying etc, dampens the exhileration and euphoria which is a by-product of a genuine heartfelt response from the people…..?
so in what way is an oscar nomination different from a filmfare or any other indian one ?
Sir,
The point you have made about foreign language films ( non english and non hindi for us) i endorse strongly.I have been totally hooked onto this new UTV world movies channel and have not been to a multiplex for quite a while now.
I consider myself a student of cinema and this channel is proving to be very educational.
Personally, i am a big fan of Chinese movies.
Cheers,
Vivek
Well, Aamir has history to go and lobby for those oscar – the coveted, commercial award!
But…Are oscars pure? That should be question…
Martin Scorcessee (sorry for spelling mistake) got it at fag end for his film ‘Blood diamond’ and I thought that the jury in those la la oscars had pity the director…
one thing is sure…nomination means…business…so thats fine and Aamir has good time…so lets see the pros…
1. Aamir Khan knows the game by now
2. The film is short compared to other Indian films
3. Songs do not celebrate/disturb/the flow of film
4. It is sensible and touchy subject…I mean…the central character is going through lots of pain…which those la la jury members like …i mean those sadists…
5. UTV is behind it
the cons…
1. ITs a long road up there…with publicity and screenings…and telling ppl about social problem…is that universal? debatable!
2. difficult to cut into top 5 or 6
3. Needs lots of pumping of money…this if the promoters/producers are like serious…then they will have to take the entire movie budget to promote…So
It will be like maximum…if they get into top 6 and then looking at other films…it will be anybody’s guess. Stilllll wishing all the best!
Tare Zameen Par is a very good movie. The story has the power to make anyone cry. I would like to give all my support to the movie. I hope at least this time we will win an Oscar.
===========
bhupa
worldinfo
shekhar, i agree with what you said initially: the oscars do not represent the best films….
reminds me of a quote:
all we need to know about prizes is that mozart never got one.
love, shivani
A movie with Action still has to come to India. It is lame to tell that English films win because of the westernized audience. They have done good work. When movies like Matrix, Pretty Woman or James Bond come to India and if they don’t win, then we should cry.
Their movies show hard work and glamour. Those movies are big budget, money is poured in like water.
And the subject, Broke Back Mountain is an example. Gay feelings were portrayed in a strong fashion.
An Indian director should take up the subject of infatuation between siblings and accidents that happen and make a movie, but will he/she do a movie like that? No cos its a controversial subject.
“money is poured in like water.”
Everything on sale
U wanna pay the price !
“…don’t win, then we should cry.”
should …
Shekhar, This movie is about dyslexia not autism.
Usually i love to see old bollywood flicks,especially Amitabh Bachchan’s movie.New movies doesn’t attract me bcoz of poor story,vague songs and meaning less sequence.Recently i liked 2 movie.One is TZP and the other is CDI but i like TZP the most.All good things r in the movie TZP..exceptional story,good casting and good song.Darshell is a treat to watch in the movie.I would like to congrats Amir Khan for giving us a worth watching movie.Hats off to Amir.
(@Koizen,
Scorssesse didn’t win oscar for ‘Blood Diamond’. He won it for ‘The Departed’ which was also a remake of Hong Kong film ‘Internal Affairs’. I do agree that he won it quite late and should have won it for his other better works like ‘Mean Streets”Raging Bull’ or ‘Taxi Driver’. Even Speilberg got it quite late for ‘Schlinder’s list’, he should have got it for ‘ET’ or ‘The Color Purple’.
@.)
TZP is a good film which showed certain child problem for the first time in India but i’m sorry it’s not an Oscar Snatcher (it will be a miracle if it wins). It’s way too sentimental. There r hell lot of foreign films which r far better than TZP (just go and visit
http://tiff08.ca/filmsandschedules/filmsearch/default.aspx
The recently concluded Toronto international film festival.) U will find many interesting foreign films there and u will know urself where TZP stands. There is one British-production film by Danny boyle ‘Slumdog Millinoaire’ (Co-directed by Loveleen Tandon) which won the People’s choice award there. The film is based on the ultra-energetic life of Mumbai city. And a slumboy’s story from rags to riches. It was shot entirely by a HD camera. And in my view it will win an oscar too.
So the bottomline is , all the Indians should pray for the miracle that TZP wins. Miracle does happens sometimes.
Izaq
Dear Respected Mr. Shekhar Kapoor,
I regret to inform you that I don’t agree with your verdict on TZP. First of all TZP is not a great movie as it is potrayed. This movie is inspired from 80’s tv series of USA. This is not a different subject for them. TZP is a good movie for Indian audience who can connect to such movies easily..I have seen some amazing foreign films and am convinced that Indian movies have nothing much to offer except adding melo drama to lure the audience..If tzp deserves oscar then even masoom deserves it.. TZP stole lot from masoom eg: the trauma of child, the painting book of ishant was also there in masoom..
If ne Indian movie which deserved to win oscar it was Bandit queen ..If tzp wins a nomination,it will be due to some other external factors i.e lobbying ,politics or some great luck..
Hi Shekhar,
I need a favour.
We are 4 women, single with kids and help each other bring them up.
Can you help Abhijeet with a job? PLEASE??
He writes:
* I am a Graduate in Media Arts ( Film and TV production) from SHERIDAN COLLEGE, Toronto, Canada. (2005)
* After graduating from SHERIDAN in 2005 I worked at OMNI TV, Toronto, for a year as a freelance camera operator and assistant to producer.
* During this stint I also worked as a freelance video grapher.
* Subsequent to my stint at OMNI, I have worked on film projects in Canada, USA & India
o Worked as the assistant to the director and producer at Enigma Films, Bombay. Enigma is one of India`s leading television commercial production houses.
o “THE WHISPERERS” – this is a US – India collaboration film shot in Houston and Bombay, India. My role on the film was of the Producers assistant.
o “DHOKHA” – this is a Bollywood film shot in Bombay. My role in this movie was Head of Production (EP). Writer – Mr. Mahesh Bhatt, Producer – Mr. Mukesh Bhatt, Director – Ms. Pooja Bhatt.( http://www.fisheyenetworkcom)
o Worked on the pre production on a WARNER BROS film that was to be shot in India. The movie “SHANTARAM” which is expected to star Johnny Depp and to be directed by Ms. Mira Nair has been temporarily shelved / postponed.
o Worked in the distribution / marketing department for the official Indian theatrical release for the Oscar winnging South African film, “Tsotsi”, at Chivach Media, India.
o Worked as the Head of Production on a Bollywood film that is to be shot all over India, Middle East and Morocco. The film is being produced by India’s biggest music label and leading film production houses. (www.t-series.com) Writer – Mr. Mahesh Bhatt, Producer – Mr. Bhushan Kumar (T-Series), Director – Ms. Pooja Bhatt.
While working as the Head of Production (EP), my main responsibility was to make the budget for the project, and over see all aspects of pre production, filming,and post production and make sure the project ran smoothly on time and on budget till delivery of the film. I was also involved in the hiring of key technicians and crew. I was involved on the project all the way from the scripting stages to filming, post production, publicity and delivery.
Dear Shekhar,
This is my take on the OSCARS:
http://www.ourkarnataka.com/Articles/sreesha/sreesha_oscars.htm
Dear Izaq,
Sorry bro I made a mistake. Apologies
thanks for corrections! Miracles do happen…and oscars…O scars! lol hey do you know India is land of miracles? if Aamir wont get…dont you worry, I will…:)
regards
First of all hello as this is my first visit after long time…
And about TZP overall it is good movie as per debutant Director Mr. Khan is concerned. But Oscar for Best foreign language movie….???
Let’s see….
Best luck Mr. Amir Khan
regards,
rohan
First of all hello as this is my first visit after long time…
And about TZP overall it is good movie as per debutant Director Mr. Khan is concerned. But Oscar for Best foreign language movie….???
Let’s see….
Best luck Mr. Amir Khan
regards,
rohan
WHAT IS THE NAME OF AAMIR KHAN IN TARE ZAMEEN PAR
Amir Khan’s Films depict a real Psycology of children a real life like story should have got Oscar
i thnk kishore ur an srk spporter thts why u call tzp an ordinari bllywood flm , bt its nt lk c grd rmantic mvies of othr ovr rAted actrs