Aamir Khan's acclaimed directorial debut Taare Zameen Par is India's official entry to the Oscars this year and many in Bollywood, including Naseeruddin Shah and Amitabh Bachchan, have sent their best wishes that it may be up there with the best in world cinema.
A snapshot of views from leading lights of the film industry:
Amitabh Bachchan: The film's prospects depend on the decision of the Oscars' jury. We can only hope for the best.
Naseeruddin Shah: I don't know about its prospects at the Oscars. But Aamir will definitely attend the ceremonies.
Shekhar Kapur: Its chances at winning the Oscar depend on what the other nominations are like. And also on the kind of support Aamir musters in Hollywood. I wish him luck and hope the film wins.
Dino Morea-Lara Dutta: We definitely think it stands a good chance. It's a good representation of contemporary Indian cinema. I hope it makes the cut.
Kunal Kapoor: It's an absolutely wonderful film and deserves to go. It's beautifully written, enacted and directed. Whether it finally wins or not would depend on the competition. I'm sure there will be wonderful films from all over the world.
Deepa Mehta: I haven't seen the film. But I've heard wonderful things about it. Aamir's dedication is indisputable. I realised what cinema means to him when we worked together in 1947 Earth. Though he was dissatisfied with his performance, I was immensely happy with what Aamir did. I wish him all the best.
{{/usCountry}}Deepa Mehta: I haven't seen the film. But I've heard wonderful things about it. Aamir's dedication is indisputable. I realised what cinema means to him when we worked together in 1947 Earth. Though he was dissatisfied with his performance, I was immensely happy with what Aamir did. I wish him all the best.
{{/usCountry}}Farhan Akhtar: Taare Zameen Par is a good film and I'm happy for Aamir. It's the culmination of his belief in good cinema. I can't predict whether it will win because I don't know what competition it's up against. But I wish Aamir luck and success.
Pritish Nandy: "I think it's a fine film and deserves to do well at the Oscars. However it's a Bollywood film and has its own unique grammar which makes it that much more difficult for an international audience to relate to.
Arshad Warsi: I don't know what its chances are. But I'm so proud of Aamir. Because of him the world is beginning to recognise Indian cinema. There's so much talent in our cinema. Aamir made the world aware of us with Lagaan and now Taare Zameen Par.
Vikram Bhatt: It's a very good film and has a cause at its heart, so I think it stands a really good chance. Having said that, there's plenty of lobbying to be done to get there. And Aamir knows it.
Kay Kay Menon: It is a wonderful film and worthy of being at the Oscars.