The Oscar race is getting interesting for Indian cinema, with Ramayana taking a route previously followed by SS Rajamouli’s RRR. The makers of the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer have submitted the film for consideration at the 99th Academy Awards as an independent entry in the general categories. This is not India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category. That honour has gone to the Marathi thriller Gondhal. Instead, Ramayana will compete for consideration in categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score, subject to the Academy’s eligibility rules.
The RRR Blueprint: How Oscar Entry Works
Every country can nominate one official film for the Best International Feature Film category. However, eligible films can independently enter the general categories by meeting the Academy’s requirements, including a qualifying theatrical run in Los Angeles County. This is precisely the strategy adopted by RRR in 2022. Although India’s official entry that year was the Gujarati film Chhello Show (Last Film Show), Rajamouli’s team independently submitted RRR and launched an extensive ‘For Your Consideration’ campaign in the United States. The effort paid off when MM Keeravaani and Chandrabose’s Naatu Naatu won Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards in March 2023, becoming the first song from an Indian film production to win the honour.
Can Ranbir Kapoor Recreate RRR’s Triumph?
Ramayana has several strengths that could help its Oscar campaign, particularly in the technical categories. Its grand visuals and world-class visual effects have attracted attention, while its record-breaking worldwide box-office performance, including in North America, adds to its international visibility. The involvement of Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman in the music further strengthens its prospects in the original score and song categories. However, an independent submission is only the beginning. The makers will need to mount a strong campaign to capture the attention of Academy members. With RRR having demonstrated what a determined Oscar campaign can achieve, Ramayana will be hoping to follow a similar path.
