No film suitable for Oscars says FFI

[icernet-admin at listserv.cddc.vt.edu]

While elsewhere in the world Indian cinema is making waves, the Film
Federation of India (FFI), the body that makes an official bid for the
Oscars every year by pitching Indian movies on the world stage _ says no
film was up to the mark this time. President of Film Producers Guild Of
India and All India Film Producers' Council, Amit Khanna, whose
organisations were members of the Federation till six months ago, defends
FFI's decision and says none of the films were found suitable before the
screening committee. ``Only films which have been commercially released in
their country of origin prior to November 1 can be entered. Also, it is the
initiative of the producer concerned to ensure his or her film is screened
by the FFI. In any case, all such selections are subjective,'' says Khanna.
While they may be subjective, who can forget the FFI's decision to send the
eminently forgettable Jeans for the Oscars a few years ago? But that was all
before the Hollywood gaze fell on Bollywood. Producer Bobby Bedi of Bandit
Queen and Maqbool fame says, it is a bad decision not to send Indian entries
to the Oscars, especially at a time when Hollywood is looking at Bollywood.

Source:
http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IE420031210134932