Amol Palekar: National awards are more important than Oscars

In a career spanning more than four decades, Amol Palekar has played many roles. 

The veteran actor-filmmaker was recently appointed chairperson of the selection jury that chooses India's entry to the Oscars this year.

Palekar tells Subhash K Jha about his new stint: 

The film industry feels that you are qualified to head the Oscar jury...

Well, thank you for saying that. But I don’t think I am especially qualified.

Why do we come back from the Oscars without even making it anywhere close to the shortlist every year?

Perhaps we place too much important on it.

I’ve only been appointed as the chairperson to select India’s entry to Oscars but the response to the appointment may fool you into believing that we have won an award already.

It’s very important for us to maintain a proper perspective and keep our feet firmly on the ground.

Why do you think there is this premature euphoria about the Oscars?

We don’t understand the process of getting to the Oscars. Right now we’ve only crossed the first stage.

The Film Federation Of India has just taken the first step of selecting the jury.

But do you think we stand a good chance of making it to the shortlist this year?

Well, there are many hurdles before we come to that.

We can only see and consider the films that are submitted before us. Before we know it we’ll have people pouncing on the jury on their choice of film. 

After the selection begins the struggle in Los Angeles?

No filmmaker in India knows what to do over there. They have no idea of the lobbying and the financial resources involved in LA. Unless we have a good knowledge of how the process to the Oscars works, there is no point in wondering why our films don’t get selected.

What, according to you, is the best representative of the Indian cinema?

You tell me!

It is next to impossible to select any one film as the accurate representation of India.

We have to accept the fact that there can only be one official entry. But producers are not stopped from sending their films as unofficial entries.

What would be your criteria of selection?

Our criteria is to select the best possible Indian film which would make India proud on an international forum. we have such beautiful stories coming from regional cinema that most people are not even aware of.

A few years ago, a film you directed -- Paheli -- was selected as India’s official entry into the Oscars...

To be very honest, I am not aware of what efforts were made at the Oscars by my producers Red Chillies.

Was anything done?

Look at the way Aamir Khan promoted Lagaan at the Oscars.

He followed all the rules. He did it the right way. I don’t remember any other Indian film in recent times getting it right the way Aamir did for Lagaan.

Do we stand a chance this time?

Of course I think so. First and foremost, we are a country that produces such a diversity of films. I don’t think any other country produces such a variety of films. It will be a tough task to select one film that truly represents India.

Is it a thankless task?

Not thankless but it's certainly daunting.

My concern is somewhat tangential.

Isn’t it equally difficult to select the best films for our National awards?

To me the National award is more important. Awards outside India are important because they launch us on a global platform.

The selection process will happen in Hyderabad?

Yes. I have no idea why we are doing it in Hyderabad. But I am excited about seeing some excellent films.