Telugu films vie for Oscars

Hyderabad: Cynics who say Telugu films are not up to the mark will probably have to eat their words. Two Tollywood films, Grahanam and Aa Naluguru, are in the race for the Oscar nominations from India. They are competing with 12 other films including the critically acclaimed Black.

Grahanam’s director Indraganti Mohan Krishna won the Indira Gandhi Award for the best debut film at the recently announced National Awards. When asked about his film’s chances at the Oscars, he said, "I have no expectations. My film is short and I am glad the organisers are encouraging short movies."

Grahanam is about superstitions and is based on the novel Doshagunam, written by the late Telugu writer Gudipati Venkata Chalam. Thanikella Bharani and Jayalalitha are the lead actors in the film.

Another film vying for the Oscars is Aa Naluguru. Veteran actor Rajendra Prasad has brilliantly portrayed the role of a father of three. Produced by Sarita Patra, the movie has been directed by Chandra Siddhartha. Sarita was disappointed that the film didn’t get a National Award, but she is confident that it will make it to the Oscars. "I know my film is vying with other big films, but it is a different film with a strong social message," she says.

Rajendra Prasad, who was earlier disappointed that the film was not considered for a National Award, is happy now. "I believe the Telugu film industry should be proud that the film is in the race for the Oscar nominations. It’s nice to see a Telugu film competing with other big films," he says.

Courtesy: Asian Age