In a recent interview, Aamir Khan discussed the reasons why Indian films often miss out on nominations for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. This category, considered one of the most prestigious at the Academy Awards, has seen limited representation from India, with only three films “Mother India,” “Salaam Bombay,” and “Lagaan” nominated in the past. Aamir’s insights shed light on why it’s so challenging for Indian films to secure a nomination in this category.
Aamir Khan’s Thoughts on the Difficulty of Oscar Nominations
Aamir Khan recently shared his thoughts on the challenge of securing an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature. His reflections come after a long gap since his 2001 film “Lagaan” was nominated. Since then, no Indian film has made the cut. Aamir explained that the competition for this category is extremely tough. “The category includes the best films from around 80 countries, which makes the competition fiercer than others,” he noted.
The Best International Feature category is highly competitive. Countries like Iran, Germany, and France consistently present exceptional entries. Aamir emphasized that simply earning a nomination is a remarkable achievement. He acknowledged that fierce global competition is why Indian films aren’t nominated every year.
Aamir Khan’s Disagreement with Shah Rukh Khan
During the interview, Aamir was reminded of Shah Rukh Khan’s earlier comments on the subject. Shah Rukh had praised “Lagaan” as a perfect blend of art and commercial cinema. He also suggested that Indian films need to adapt their format to succeed in international competitions. According to Shah Rukh, Indian cinema must move away from the traditional two-and-a-half-hour runtime, complete with songs, if it wants to compete with films from other countries on international platforms.
Aamir Khan disagreed with Shah Rukh’s perspective. “Lagaan was three hours and 42 minutes long with six songs, and it still earned a nomination,” Aamir pointed out. For Aamir, the key to earning an Oscar nomination lies in the ability to create impactful and resonant work, not necessarily adhering to a specific runtime or format. He emphasized that “Academy members appreciate quality, regardless of a film’s length or format.”
Aamir Khan’s Take on Crafting Impactful Films
Aamir Khan’s take on Oscar nominations for Best International Feature stresses the importance of making films that leave an impact on audiences. While adapting to global standards is important, Aamir believes that quality remains the most critical factor in determining whether a film earns a nomination. He acknowledged the strong competition from exceptional films worldwide, noting that the global film industry has produced incredible works that often overshadow others.
“The Academy members appreciate films that touch hearts and leave a lasting impression,” Aamir said. “It’s not about fitting into a particular box or following a formula but about crafting meaningful and authentic cinema that resonates with a global audience.”
A Brief History of Indian Films at the Oscars
In Indian cinema’s history, only three films have received nominations in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. “Mother India” (1957), directed by Mehboob Khan, was the first film to receive this honor. Later, “Salaam Bombay!” (1988), directed by Mira Nair, also earned a nomination. However, it was Aamir Khan’s “Lagaan” (2001) that marked the last Indian film to be nominated in this prestigious category.
Despite the lack of nominations, Indian films have continued to shine at the Oscars in other categories. In recent years, films like “RRR” have garnered attention, with “Naatu Naatu” winning the Best Original Song Oscar. Additionally, “The Elephant Whisperers” secured the Best Documentary Short category, and “Writing with Fire” and “All That Breathes” received nominations for Best Documentary Feature. These accomplishments demonstrate that while Indian films may face challenges in the Best International Feature category, they continue to make their mark at the Oscars.
Aamir Khan on the Challenge of Oscar Nominations for Best International Feature
In a recent interview, Aamir Khan discussed why Indian films often miss out on nominations for the prestigious Best International Feature category at the Oscars. He highlighted that India has had limited representation, with only three films—”Mother India,” “Salaam Bombay,” and “Lagaan”—nominated in the past. Aamir’s insights shed light on the reasons behind the challenge for Indian films to secure nominations in this category.
Aamir Khan’s Thoughts on the Difficulty of Oscar Nominations
Aamir Khan’s reflections came after a long gap since his 2001 film “Lagaan” was nominated for Best International Feature. He pointed out that no Indian film has made the cut since then, and he acknowledged the tough competition in this category. Aamir explained that securing an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature is highly challenging due to the competition from around 80 countries. “This category includes the best films from so many nations, making the competition even more intense,” he noted.
Aamir Khan’s Disagreement with Shah Rukh Khan
During the interview, the host reminded Aamir Khan of Shah Rukh Khan’s earlier comments on the subject. Shah Rukh had praised “Lagaan” for blending art and commercial cinema and suggested that Indian films need to adapt their format to succeed in international competitions. He believed Indian cinema should move away from the traditional long runtime and song-and-dance sequences to compete internationally.
Aamir Khan disagreed with this perspective, pointing out that “Lagaan” was over three hours long and included six songs but still earned a nomination. He emphasized that creating impactful work is the key to an Oscar nomination. “The Academy values quality cinema, regardless of its length or format,” Aamir said.
Aamir Khan’s Take on Crafting Impactful Films
Aamir Khan’s perspective on Oscar nominations stresses that creating films with a lasting impact is the most crucial factor in earning recognition. While adapting to global standards is important, Aamir believes quality remains the top priority. He acknowledged the stiff competition worldwide but emphasized that what resonates most with Academy members is a film’s ability to touch hearts. “It’s not about fitting a formula but creating meaningful cinema that resonates globally,” he said.
A Brief History of Indian Films at the Oscars
Only three Indian films have been nominated in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. “Mother India” (1957), directed by Mehboob Khan, was the first. “Salaam Bombay” (1988), directed by Mira Nair, followed. Finally, Aamir Khan’s “Lagaan” (2001) was the last to earn a nomination. Despite this, Indian cinema has continued to make its mark in other Oscar categories. Films like “RRR” and “The Elephant Whisperers” have earned recognition in recent years, proving Indian films continue to shine globally.
Conclusion
Aamir Khan’s perspective on Oscar nominations for Best International Feature highlights the immense challenges Indian films face in this category. While the competition is fierce, the key lies in creating quality cinema that resonates with audiences worldwide. Aamir believes “Lagaan” succeeded because it told a compelling story. It didn’t rely on a specific format. It also didn’t focus on meeting international expectations. The key was the film’s ability to resonate.
While India may not secure nominations every year, its success in other Oscar categories continues. This shows that the world is recognizing Indian cinema. As the industry evolves, filmmakers will strive to create impactful films. These films may one day earn a nomination in the Best International Feature category again. Until then, Aamir Khan’s belief in the power of quality filmmaking remains a guiding principle for future cinematic endeavors.
