'Skyfall 'faces Marathi challenge at Oscars

Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory and now Hou de Jarasa Ushir. Marathi films are slowly but surely making their mark at the Academy Awards with Hou de Jarasa Ushir becoming the first Marathi film to be selected in the second round of the best film category at the Oscars. Shwaas and Harishchandrachi Factory competed in the best foreign film category.

Hou de Jarasa Ushir, directed by debutants Wasim Maner and Tahir Maner, was selected among the top 282 films of the 1,376 movies in the best film category. "Since we released the film in California in November, it is considered a Hollywood film. It will compete with the likes of Skyfall, The Hobbit and Flight for the nomination. The subject of the film is universal and that’s the reason the jury liked it. It talks about the stress in corporate life and the big battle between urban and rural life," Wasim told DNA. "The next round is the jury round in which the judges will cast their ballots after watching the film. We are hopeful and have kept our fingers crossed."

Suresh Pai, vice-president of Devisha films, which has produced the film, is ecstatic. "It is a proud moment for us. Earlier, the Academy of Motion Pictures had shown interest in acquiring the screenplay of the film for their research library. The genre of Hou de Jarasa Ushir is very different as it has a social message about today’s hectic life," he said. The third and final round for seeking a nomination will start in January 2013.

"We are inching towards the golden age for Marathi cinema which is being appreciated internationally. Our next step is to campaign for the film and seek votes from the jury," Abhijit Gholap, president of Devisha films, said in an email from California.

Wasim and Tahir have written the screenplay of Hou de Jarasa Ushir. Devisha films have earlier produced the National Award-winning film Deool.