Aamir Khan is excited about the selection of his film 'Taare Zameen Par' as India's official entry at the 81st Annual Oscar Awards on February 22 and promises to do what it takes to ensure the film gets its due. Photo Credit: Sawf News / FileAbhijit Mhamunkar
September 23, 2008 (Sawf News) - Aamir Khan is excited about the selection of his film Taare Zameen Par as India's official entry at the 81st Annual Oscar Awards on February 22 and promises to do what it takes to ensure the film gets its due.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Sea Princess, Juhu, Monday September 22, Aamir, 43, said:
"It's a great film and I am happy and proud that it is being showcased in the world. Hope it gets a great platform. It has made a strong impact on the Indian audiences and media has played an important part in promoting the film. I will see to it that it is showcased well at the Oscars since there are around 96 films contending for the awards."
Aamir who had earlier promoted Lagaan (2001) at the Oscars and Rang De Basanti (2006) at the BAFTA, plans to make good use of the experience he gained.
"For the Oscars I plan to hold additional screenings of the film there. In the meantime we can put up an advertisement in the local papers informing of the timing and venue. I will not be allowed to be present there during the screening. We will make them aware how much impact it has created on the Indian audience about child care and education in India. It is only then that the marks are given at the Oscars."
The length of Lagaan went against it at the competition, so does Aamir plan to cut short the length of Taare Zameen Par?
"We cannot do that. We have to send the original film. Talking about Lagaan, well most of the jury members liked Lagaan and came up to me and told me that they had voted for my film. All the five competitive films came on the winning line and we lost."
More than the promotions, Aamir expects the TZP's box office success to speak for itself. The film has grossed over Rs 131 crore all over!
But he understands that despite the promotions and the appreciation that the film has received so far, an Oscar may still elude it because of the dynamic of the completion.
"I don't make films with the thought of sending it to the Oscars or Bafta or any other film festival. I don't need an award ceremony to prove how good my films are. It is secondary for me. It is important that our cinema goes out into the international market. Mother India and Lagaan were the only two films, which were nominated at the Oscars. They made it to the top five films. Sending films to the Oscars opens a window of opportunity to a larger audience for Indian films. It is a platform to address a larger audience. Not that I shirk awards. I was happy and honored when Lagaan was chosen for the National Award.”
The producers of the Marathi Film Tingya, which was a contender with Taare Zameen Par to be India's official Oscar entry, have decided to field their film as an unofficial entry at the Oscars, but Aamir is not upset.
"Only one film can go from the country but yes there are openings for the best director and many other categories. I support the film completely. If they want any help from me I shall be more than willing to help them," Aamir concluded.
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