‘Shwas’ chosen as India’s Oscar entry

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Shwas, a Marathi film, was chosen as India’s official entry for the Academy Awards next February (thanks, Prakruti). It sounds like it hits the same themes as Roberto Begnini’s Life is Beautiful; it has a great shtick based on a real-life story:

It tells the story of a young boy stricken with cancer of the eyes… an operation will save the childÂ’s life but will rob him of his sight forever. The grandfather follows helplessly, unable to save the child from a lifetimeÂ’s darkness. At the door of the operation theatre, they are informed that the operation has been cancelled and will take place the following day… the grandfather takes the child out for the day to show him all the sights he will never see again…

Wonder if Shwas will be ‘Indian enough’ for the judges. I haven’t seen this film, and the eye operation angle usually invites screechy, soapy melodrama. But the one-day-to-truly-live setup can work well: an ice palace in a desert, ‘tell me something that will make me love you.’

Speaking of loss, I also hear Khamoshi did well by the deaf. No surprise, it’s by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

8 thoughts on “‘Shwas’ chosen as India’s Oscar entry”

  1. my pleasure to be of some help to u and thanks for the links too and for blogging Manish, I finally got a chance to read the story of shwas and I enjoy reading ur blog… I think this is an indian enough movie, though I didnot see the movie. Reasons: 1. Most of us donot realise the value of sight, hearing etc., but people who donot have all that know the value of it. Iam glad the screenplay writer was sensitive to enough to write a script on such a simple everyday struggle of the blind ( the grandfather trying to show his grandson in one day all the beautiful things he should see).Good writers always see ordinary things in a sensitive extraordinary way. 2. The indian enough thing here is its very realistic. I remember in my small town how sick people from neighbouring villages used to get up early in the morning at 4am to stand in the queue to visit our busy family doctor and sometimes when the doctor could not manage to see all the patients, he would cancel appointments or operations and sick suffering patients would wait for days to get operated, sleep outside the hospital under the sun and stars as they cannot afford hotels. Real india is like that. Poverty and too many people and not enough facilities. 3. The beauty of this movie probably is the way the relationship between grandfather and grandson is portrayed (though I didnot see the movie I assume its beautiful)..u see such close relationships only in india. Until my granny lived I was close to my granny too much more than to my parents. There is a special bondage grandparents share with grandchildren in india since most grandparents live with parents and grandkids in most families in india. 4. Iam pretty sure this movie doesnot have all those songs dances glamour and glitter and its a real life story, so it will touch the hearts of many people. Thats the most important thing for any writer or movie maker.. u should be able to touch human hearts and leave an impression or change peoples perception. Iam sure after seeing this movie many people will realise the value of sight that we all have.. khamoshi also deals with a girl coping up with deaf and dumb parents , but it still has some songs, dance and all the bollywood jazz.. a lot of movies were made on blind people before too.. watch telugu movie “serivennala” its about a blind man who is an extremely talented flute player who learns from a woman what sunset, sunrise,mountains,flowers look like by touching her and composes great music.. like helen kellers story.. anyway this is becoming a real long message.will stop here..hope shwas wins an oscar..

  6. RE: SHWAAS (means “Breath” in Marathi)

    As any Indian, we are proud to see a Marathi film being nominated for Oscars.

    The “Shwaas” crew are facing an uphill task to raise funds in this effort, so we appeal for support from everybody who can help in any which way they can.

    We at California Arts Association (based in California USA http://www.calaaonline.com) are helping the “Shwaas” crew to raise funds.

    To Contact us please send us an email to info@calaaonline.com

  7. Dear Sir, Can you give me some information regarding your advertisement about donation for treatment of children. Regards -VISHAL