Every year both cross border rivals India and Pakistan send their nominations to the Oscars and it’s a matter of great pride if a movie is chosen even as a nominee at the Oscars. The movie water by Deepa Mehta was nominated as the best movie in foreign language in 2007 and in 2002 Lagaan by Ashutosh Gowarikar made the cut. This year India shortlisted from its large stack of movie entrees to send for the award of “best movie in a foreign language”, the movie Newton.

Newton is an Indian comedy drama film co-written and directed by Amit V. Masurkar starring Rajkumar Roa as its lead. It would be interesting to note that the film received eight nominations at the 63rd Filmfare Awards, including Best Film (Critics), Best Actor (Critics) for Rao, Best Supporting Actor for Tripathi and winning Best Film and Filmfare Award for Best Story.

The plot of the movie revolves around the comic struggle of a rookie government clerk (RajKumar) who is sent on election duty in a conflict ridden jungle of Chandigarh, India in order to conduct free and fair elections despite the indifference of the areas security forces and the looming threat of guerrilla attacks by communist rebels.

The film wasn’t accepted as an Oscar nominee but hey! It was a great one no doubt.

No movie of Pakistan has ever been nominated for the Oscars even though over the years Pakistan has send 7 movies in total in the best foreign language film category including Mah e Mir, Morr and Zinda bhaag. This year the movie Sawaan by Farhan Alam was sent as a submission in the following category.

The film is based on a true story of a 9 year old disabled child who resides in a desert of Pakistan and faces extreme hardships. After facing cruelty at the hands of his father and humiliation from his friends and foes due to his disability, He begins a self-discovering journey back to the main city of Pakistan in pursuit of the memories he carries of his loving mother.

The film stars Saleem Mairaj, Syed Karam Abbas, Arif Bahalim, Najiba Faiz and Imran Aslam in the lead roles.

This film didn’t make the cut either but it was a truly inspiring story of a young boy who faces great obstacles but never gives up hope of a better life.

We hope that both India and Pakistan continue to do great work in the future and make brilliant movies that even the Oscars can’t say no to.