Indians urge Hollywood academy to introduce “Best Bollywood Film” category at Oscars
By ANISunday, August 16, 2009
NEVADA - Indians in America have asked the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to introduce a new award category of “Best Bollywood Film” for films made in India.
Rajan Zed, a leader of the Indian American community here, said in a statement that India had the largest film industry in the world and thus it deserved at least one category in Oscars where its movies could compete among themselves. This gesture would bring more credibility to Oscars also in the international arena, as it was long overdue.
He further said that cinema in India, based in Mumbai and various regional centers, reportedly produced much more films and drew much larger audience globally than Hollywood (which released only 610 movies in 2008).
It was, therefore, unfair for such an influential cinema not to have its own category at Oscars. Foreign Language Film Award at Oscars, where only one picture was accepted from each country, did not do justice to such a large industry, Zed added.
Academy, launched in 1927 and dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures, has over 6,000 artists and professionals as honorary members, including actors like Jack Nicholson, directors like Steven Spielberg, executives like Steve Jobs, musicians like Elton John and writers like Ruth Prawer Jhabvala etc.
Located in Beverly Hills, (California), the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will host the 82nd Academy Awards on March 7, 2010.
Ani has contributed to the story.
We too think it is long overdue. Oscars need to recognize the biggest (globally) movie industry in the world - Bollywood, to gain more international acceptance and credibility.
What do you think? Let us know by commenting below.
Tags: India, Jack Nicholson, Nevada, Rajan Zed, Steven Spielberg, United States
June 9, 2010: 5:29 pm
I agree with Kapinak Singh..indian movies are all the same romantic fairytale or horrible remakes of hollywood movies. the Oscars are awards for Hollywood not for everyone else |
Arjun Singh |
April 29, 2010: 5:50 am
and the fact remains that the majority ie. 95% of those bollywood films made are pretty much shit and half of them never see light… plus we have our own filmfare awards…i highly doubt that we’re gonna have a seperate category for english films….so y should they have one…? |
Ramsey |
November 21, 2009: 11:03 am
I agree with Kapinak above. Indians need to first stop making atrocious movies. They have to stop considering over-acting as “good acting,” stop copying Hollywood, stop masala movies (romance, thriller, suspense, comedy, musical and a host of other genres dumped together)and seriously consider some original ideas. Then perhaps not just the Academy, but many others might consider Bollywood. Another thing to think about is that if you are good enough you don’t need the Academy to endorse you or recognize you. Why not be good enough to start your own “Oscars” that could rival the one in Hollywood, that film-makers all over the world would aspire to be recognized by? |
Kapinak Singh |
August 31, 2009: 5:20 am
Why don’t indians start making quality films before you start going and asking for Oscar categories.. . . please …if you made quality films perhaps the judges would even consider it… something to think about…. |
Shreya