Peepli (Live), a satirical look at the growing problem of farmer suicides in rural India and the media reaction to it, has been chosen as India’s entry to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language film category.
The film, produced by actor Aamir Khan and directed by Anusha Rizvi, opened to rave reviews this August despite no known stars and a rare theme in an industry dominated by soppy romances or family dramas.
Peepli (Live) is the third Aamir Khan production, after Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par, to be chosen as India’s entry to the Oscars in the last decade.
“We chose Peepli (Live) for its stark portrayal of the state of Indian farmers and the vibrant depiction of the media in our country,” L Suresh, chairperson of the Film Federation of India told a reporter over phone from Chennai.
Suresh said there were as many as 27 films in the running for the coveted nomination.
“A Tamil film Angadi Theru was also in the running and (the) two were very close,” he said.
An Indian film has never won the Best Foreign Language film Oscar but Lagaan, Salaam Bombay and Mother India were shortlisted for the award.
