Shoojit Sircar's Sardar Udham has been receiving rave reviews ever since its premiere on October 16. Cinegoers said the film deserved to win National Awards and an honour of being called India's official entry to the upcoming Academy Awards. But the film, unfortunately, did not make the cut.
Tamil drama Koozhangal (Pebbles), directed by filmmaker Vinothraj PS, was announced as India's official entry for the 94th Academy Awards. The movie features newcomers Chellapandi and Karuththadaiyaan.
Indraadip Dasgupta, a member of the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury, explained that Sardar Udham wasn't sent as it portrayed ‘our hatred towards the British’. He asserted, “Sardar Udham is a little lengthy and harps on the Jallianwala Bagh incident. The jury member's statement’s attracted strong outrage from the netizens.
Vicky Kaushal, who essayed the role of Sardar Udham Singh in the recently released film, to this end said 'we have to respect that selection'.
Speaking to Mid-Day, Vicky said, “Everybody has the right to their opinion. We have a jury [comprising] experts in cinema. They made a selection, and we have to respect that selection. I haven't seen the Tamil film, but Shoojit [Sircar] da has seen it and is gung-ho about it. I am sure it's the best decision taken for Indian cinema to be on a global platform. We should now root for the film that is selected, and hope that it brings us glory."
Earlier, Sardar Udham director Shoojit Sircar reacted to the jury member’s decision and said that he respects the decision and pointed out that it was a personal opinion.
“It is a personal opinion, it is very subjective, I have no comment on that. I respect the jury and their decision. The film that was finally selected, I know about it, and I am glad that it was chosen. I go by the jury’s decision," Shoojit told The Quint.
Sardar Udham is based on the life of revolutionary Sardar Udham Singh, a gallant and patriotic man who fought selflessly and courageously against the British subjugation of India. The film’s plot focusses on the assassination of Michael O’Dwyer, the lieutenant governor of Punjab at the time of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.
Image Source: Instagram/vickykaushal09