Oscar hopes of RRR are still alive

In a shocking move, the Film Federation of India (FFI) picked the Gujarati film 'Chello Show' ahead of SS Rajamouli's cinematic epic 'RRR' as India's official selection for the upcoming Academy Awards. Everyone expected RRR to be FFI's pick because the film has been enjoying a thumping fan base in Hollywood.

This means RRR cannot compete in the International Picture category now. Meanwhile, the USA distributor of the film decided to launch a full awards campaign for the movie requesting 10,000 Academy members to consider voting for it in various categories.

According to a report by Variety, RRR will be submitted for Best Picture, Director (S.S. Rajamouli), Original Screenplay (SS Rajamouli and V. Vijayendra Prasad), Lead Actor (for both NTR Jr and Ram Charan), Supporting Actor (Ajay Devgn), Supporting Actress (Alia Bhatt), Original Song ("Naatu Naatu"), Original Score (M.M. Keeravaani), Cinematography, Film Editing, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound and Visual Effects.

If the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences jury considered the film's huge following, then RRR will definitely have a chance to make it to the final nominations.

It all depends on how the makers do their campaign at the Academy and how the members receive it. Until then, we have to keep our fingers crossed!