Can 'Shwas' better 'Lagaan'?

(##include msid=43376741,type=11##) When Aamir and Ashutosh Gowarikar turned up at the 2002Oscars, complete with wives and designer suits, India celebrated. Thoughmissed the foreign film award bya whisker, it did manage to put India on the Oscar map again.Andnow, all hearts have set their hopes on the low budget Marathi-language film which has been nominated forcoveted Oscar awards in the foreign film category. It becomes thefourth Indian film to make it this far. First was Mehboob Khan’s, then Mira Nair’s followed after a gap ofdecades. Gowarikar’s marked the next milestone in the Bollywood crossover.No witis the turn of Sandeep Sawant’sThe film has hit theheadlines ever since its release in March 2004.The plot is simpleenough. The film revolves round the relationship between a man and his grandson,who suffers from ocular cancer. But the simplicity leaves a poignant message,the relationship one of hope and life. (##include msid=43376741,type=11##)There is little of the fantasy that Bollywood isfamous for. "Most of my stories are inspired by real life," saidSawant.The decision was taken on Friday by the Film Federation ofIndia after the body held screenings of films in various languages for lastthree days, producer of this year''s award winning Marathi film, said ArunNalawade.Nalawade said it was Federation''s President Ramesh Sippy,who informed him about sending for this year''s Oscar entry. "It is unbelievable and I am reallyoverwhelmed... I do not know as what to say," Arun Nalawade, who has also actedin the film, said. "It has reinforced my belief that whatever good is done isappreciated by the people."The film by a debutant team led bySandeep Sawant has been in news ever since its release in March 2004. Fivemonths and the film has won several awards. It put many a heavyweight entry inthe shade in the 51st National Awards, where it won the Best Filmaward.The film will also represent the country in the AsianCompetition section along with Anjan Dutt''s English movie.