TZP FOR OSCARS!

Aamir Khan’s tryst with the Oscars continues. After Lagaan in 2001, now it’s the turn of his directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par (TZP) which has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars.

TZP that tells the tale of a dyslexic child stars the 9-year-old Darsheel Safary in the lead role. The film was released on 21 December, 2007 and was a huge commercial and critical smasher having bagged rave reviews and major awards. Till date, the film has grossed Rs 135 crore worldwide. The film has been produced by Khan in association with PVR Pictures.

Khan who is currently shooting in Ladakh for Raju Hirani’s 3 Idiots, expressed his elation at the news, “I’m really happy that TZP been selected to represent India at an international forum like the Oscars. It is a film that is extremely close to my heart.” Talking about the theme of the film, Khan said, “It’s a film that first sensitized me as a parent and as a person and then went on to have the same effect on all the audience in India and across the globe. I hope that it has an equally strong impact on the members of the academy as well.”

Producer and director Suneel Darshan led this year’s committee for the Oscars nomination as the chairperson. Other jury members include Bijon Das Gupta, Aruna Raje, Ravi Kotharakara, H M Ramachandran, Sudarshan Rao, Mahesh Kothare, Jagdish Sharma, B R Ishara and Manoj Chaturvedi.

Darshan says, “There were many factors that went in the favour of TZP. It’s a genuinely good film, technically sound and has some great performances. Also it’s a huge direction oriented film. But at the end of the day, the one factor that made TZP a clear cut choice was that anyone who watches the film comes out with a lasting impression!"

The 81st Annual Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on 22 February, 2009....