Rajkummar Rao’s political satire ‘Newton’ is India’s entry for the Oscars

Newton has been selected as Indian’s official entry to the Oscars, star Rajkummar Rao has tweeted. Newton was released in theatres on Friday.

“Very happy to share this news that #NEWTON is India’s official entry to the #OSCARS this year. Congratulations team,” Rajkummar wrote.

“’Newton’ has been selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars. It was unanimously chosen from 26 entries this year,” FFI secretary general Supran Sen told PTI.

Very happy to share this news that #NEWTON is India's official entry to the #OSCARS this year. Congratulations team.

— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) September 22, 2017

According to the Hindustan Times review, “Newton is one of the finest political satires we have seen in the last couple of years. It refrains from taking sides and offers a humorous take on state versus the Maoists bloody battle.”

“It is a really honest film and we are already getting an overwhelming response. We will put all our energies to take the film forward,” Rajkummar told PTI.

Director Amit V Masurkar added that it was a double celebration for the team.

“We are really happy. The fact that the film is releasing today doubles the happiness. We hope that people will now really head to the cinema halls to watch the film,” the director told PTI.

The film is based on a government servant’s experiences in a Naxal-controlled town in the conflict-ridden jungles of Chhattisgarh.

“Newton is India’s entry to the Oscars. The best choice in years by the federation,” Hansal Mehta tweeted.

He added: “If films like A Separation and Children of Heaven made it to the Oscar nominations so can Newton. It is our best shot. Manish Mundra go for it!”

Newton also stars Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil, Raghubir Yadav and Sanjay Mishra in a cameo appearance. The film is distributed by Drishyam Films.

Watch the Newton trailer here

India’s last ten Oscar submissions are Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007), Taare Zameen Par (2008), Harishchandra’s Factory (2009), Peepli Live (2010), Abu, Son of Adam (2011), Barfi! (2012), The Good Road (2013), Liar’s Dice (2014), Court (2015), and Interrogation (2016). Only three Indian films - Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Lagaan (2001) - have been nominated for Best Foreign Language film.

The 90th Academy Awards, presented by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

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