Hopes dashed; Malayalam film '2018' misses Oscar nomination

The Malayalam film '2018' did not make it to the Oscars shortlist in the foreign language category. Out of 88 films, only 15 were chosen by the Academy of Motion Pictures Science for consideration.

Director Jude Antony Joseph conveyed the news through his Facebook page and expressed sincere apologies for the disappointment caused. He emphasized that the chance to represent India at the Oscars would be cherished forever.

The film '2018' portrays the catastrophic events experienced by Kerala during the 2018 floods with unrelenting intensity. It showcases Kerala's resilience in the face of the natural disaster highlighting Malayalee unity and bravery. Despite this, it failed to secure a spot in the Oscars shortlist.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Narain, Lal, Vineeth Srinivasan and others, the film crossed the 100 crore mark at the box office. It was produced by Venu Kunnapally, Anton Joseph and CK Padmakumar, with Akhil George handling the cinematography.

Notably, 'Guru' starring Mohanlal was the first Malayalam film to have received an Oscar entry. In 2020, Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Jellikattu' also achieved an Oscar entry marking significant strides for Malayalam cinema on the global stage.