Here's how Suriya's 'Kanguva' made it to the Oscars selection

Suriya's 'Kanguva', which faced a disappointing reception both critically and commercially, has unexpectedly entered the Oscars race, creating a buzz among fans and the film industry. The Academy recently unveiled its list of 323 eligible films for various categories, including 207 movies competing for Best Picture. Among these are seven Indian films, including 'Kanguva' (Tamil), 'Aadujeevitham' (Malayalam), 'Santosh' (Hindi), 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' (Hindi), and others.

This marks a rare recognition for Indian films in a prestigious global arena. Although India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category is 'Laapataa Ladies', films like 'Kanguva' have opted for an alternate route to the Oscars by paying an application fee to compete in other categories. This has allowed 'Kanguva', directed by Siruthai Siva, to stand a chance in the race despite its underwhelming performance at the box office and negative reviews. Made on a massive budget of Rs 350 crore, the film managed to collect only Rs 100 crore, a figure far below expectations and was widely criticized after its release in November last year.

Nevertheless, its entry into the Oscars race has come as an unexpected boost for Suriya's fans, who are now celebrating this milestone as a significant achievement for their favorite star. The Oscars voting process, which began on January 8 and will continue till January 12, will determine the final shortlist of nominees, which is set to be announced on January 17.

For Suriya’s ardent supporters, Kanguva’s presence in this prestigious competition is a moment of pride, and they remain hopeful that it will make the final cut. Regardless of the outcome, this recognition has brought the film back into the spotlight, showcasing the global reach of Tamil cinema.