India’s only Oscar hope

Kavi, a Hindi film by American director Gregg Helvey, has been nominated in the Short Film (Live Action) category at the 82nd Academy Awards, to be held in March.

Amidst all the hype surrounding maestro AR Rahman missing out on a nomination this year for his Couples Retreat score, a little known film with a desi connect has made it’s way to the Oscars. Kavi, a Hindi film by American director Gregg Helvey, has been nominated in the Short Film (Live Action) category at the 82nd Academy Awards, to be held in March. This gives Indians a reason to cheer after last year’s successes — Slumdog Millionaire and Smile Pinky.

Kavi is about a boy who wants to go to school, but is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. The film, shot in eight days at Wai, near Mumbai, and at a budget of Rs 14 lakh, is now gaining popularity.

While its Facebook page has 600 fans, on Twitter, congratulations are pouring in. “After Smile Pinky, another Indian based Small Film,” posted prasprasanna on Twitter. “India again… ALL THE BEST!” posted Manoj, a fan, on Facebook.

The film’s co-producer Guneet Monga said, “We want to thank everyone associated with this project.” Thirty per cent of the DVD proceeds of the film will go to anti-slavery organisations.

—Inputs from IANS

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