The Gully Boy (2019) actress is overjoyed with the Zoya Akhtar-directorial being selected as India’s representation to Oscars 2020
By Mayur Lookhar
Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy (2019) has been selected as India’s representation for the Oscars 2020. Loosely based on the life of street rappers Divine and Naezy, Gully Boy saw Ranveer Singh playing Murad Sheikh, a boy who rises from the slums of Mumbai, to win a rap competition.
Alia Bhatt, who played Murad’s girl friend Safeena, was naturally delighted with the film being sent to Oscars.
“Gully Boy as a film is really special to me. What’s even more special is that it has had such a long run – after releasing in February, it won at the Melbourne Film Festival, then it was also shown in Japan. Now, it’s been selected as India’s official entry for the Academy. So, hereon, I just hope, pray and wish that we make it to the nomination and then win. This is a first and it’s a big deal for us. As a team, we are very excited,” Bhatt said in a statement.
Ranveer Singh took too twitter to thank the Film Federation of India for picking their film as India’s representation to the Oscars.
“We are so thrilled that Gully Boy has been selected as India’s official entry to the 92 Academy Award in the Best International Feature Film category. Thank you to the Film Federation of India Aparna Sen, Supran Sen, Anindya Dasgupta, members of the jury and big congratulations to our spectacular cast and crew ,” tweeted Singh.
Gully Boy had premiered at the Berlin International Festival this year. The film was warmly received by both the critics and audiences alike at home.
Whole of India will hope that the film makes it to the final list of nomination.
The 92 Academy Awards will take place on 9 February, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
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