MUMBAI: Jallikattu, India’s official entry for this year's Oscars might be out of the race but another dark horse, Bittu, has been shortlisted for the 93rd Academy Awards’ live action short film category. Karishma Dev Dube’s Bittu has been backed by Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga, Tahira Kashyap and Ruchikaa Kapoor under their cinema collective Indian Women Rising, and is still in the running for a nomination at the gala event scheduled to take place on 25 April.
Based on a true story, Bittu follows the journey of a fierce eight-year-old girl who fights for the right of her community members. The film also explores the friendship between two school friends.
Other films in the short film shortlist are: Da Yie, Feeling Through, The Human Voice, The Kicksled Choir, The Letter Room, The Present, Two Distant Strangers, The Van and White Eye.
Guneet, whose film Period. End Of Sentence had won an Oscar in 2019, was ecstatic about the news, and expressed it on her official Instagram handle. "It's 4.30 am in India... am tossing & turning, stress eating and texting my IWR girls through the night, and here we are!! Bittu is now shortlisted for the 93 Academy Awards. @indianwomenrising 's first film Bittu directed by @k.devdube ... here we come Let's do this @ektarkapoor @tahirakashyap @ruchikaakapoor @maryelista @shredevdube," Guneet wrote.
"So grateful for Bittu and our incredible team... Say a little prayer and wish us luck for the next round of nominations," she added.
Ekta shared: "Very exciting news but v persevering women I know who are working at it! I'm in (an) august company! Way to go team #BITTU N @indianwomenrising."
Tahira Kashyap, who is one of the producers of the film, wrote in an Instagram post: "Can't contain my excitement! Our first project under Indian Women Rising directed by Karishma Dev Dube makes it to the Academy top ten for Best Live Action Short Film category. Taking progressive steps towards Oscars 2021. It's now competing for a spot in final five nominations! Let's make our country proud. Team invincible. Please keep showering the film and the collective with lot of love and blessing."
The final nominations for the Oscars will be announced on 15 March.
