India’s official entry for the Oscars 2024 is the Malayalam film 2018, a gripping survival drama based on the true events of the Kerala floods in 2018. The film, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, showcases the human emotions and resilience in the face of a natural disaster. The film stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Narain and Lal in pivotal roles. 2018 was released in May this year and became a blockbuster hit in Malayalam and Telugu languages. It is the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time and one of the top earners of Indian cinema this year.
The film federation of India announced the selection of 2018 at a press conference, where filmmaker and chairman of the 16-member selection committee Girish Kasaravalli praised the film for its theme of the impact of climate change. The film was chosen from among 22 films that were considered for the Oscar entry, including The Kerala Story, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, Balagam, Vaalvi, Baaplyok and August 16, 1947.
2018 will compete for the Best International Feature Film Oscar, a category that was formerly known as Best Foreign Film. India has not had a nomination in this category since Lagaan in 2002. Only two other Indian films have made it to the final five – Mother India and Salaam Bombay.
