`Tingya` to go to Oscars as independent entry

Mumbai, Sept 21: Critically acclaimed Marathi film "Tingya", a sensitive portrayal of a six-year-old boy`s love for his bull in backdrop of Maharashtra`s agrarian crisis, will be sent as an independent entry to this year`s Oscars in the foreign language category."Tingya", which has won 37 awards including five at the international festivals, lost out to Aamir Khan`s "Taare Zameen Par" when a Film Federation of India (FFI) jury chose the latter as India`s official entry to the Academy yesterday.

Producer of "Tingya" Ravi Rai said he will apply independently. Rai also made it clear that he bore no ill will towards the FFI jury or Aamir`s film. "`Taare Zameen Par` is my personal favourite because a top star like Aamir decided to produce and direct a film about a relevant issue concerning children," Rai told reporters. Pointed out that "Tingya" was equally good, he claimed the jury members had a difficult choice in selecting the official entry. The decision and went against "Tingya" on grounds that it lacked technical finesse, he said. "I feel a film`s soul is more important," he added. The noted television producer who turned to big screen with "Tingya" directed by newcomer Mangesh Hadawale said all the nine films in fray this year were deserving. "It shows that good times are here for Indian cinema," he added. Rai said his venture got the best film award as well as the international critics award at the Mumbai International Film Festival last year. "`Taare Zameen Par` was also in the race. But the jury chose `Tingya`, perhaps the Academy awards jury might also feel so," he said. Rai said he was in the process of finding out the procedures of sending an independent entry. Marathi film "Valu", Subhash Ghai`s "Black and White", Farhan Akhtar`s "Rock On!", Ashutosh Gowariker`s "Jodhaa Akbar", Nishikant Kamat`s "Mumbai Meri Jaan", Neeraj Pandey `s "A Wednesday" and Telugu film "Ghanyam" were also in fray for official entry for the Oscars. Filmmaker Suneel Darshan chaired the FFI jury. Rai said "Life is Beautiful", the 1998 Oscar award winner in the foreign language category was also an independent entry. In 2006, when "Lage Raho Munnabhai" lost out to "Rang De Basanti" as India`s entry to the Oscars, its makers applied to the Academy independently. The 81st Academy awards ceremony will be held on February 22, 2009. Bureau Report