- and people haven’t been pleased. There’s been speculation, and shitloads of ifs and buts. The President of the Association of Motion Pictures and TV programmes, Pahlaj Nihalani, went on record suggesting that it was disgraceful.

Some reckon Chak De India was a better entrant - considering it was a bigger success. I ask these guys to just zip their ideas to themselves. Chak De, while it entertained as hell, is not what ought to represent India at the Oscars. Nope. Not by a long shot.

Not that Eklavya is the best - I have atleast two flicks that I would’ve sent to the Oscars if I was in the armchair - but here’s why Eklavya was picked. To begin with, the movie has a very authentic Indian feel to it - from the costumes, to the sets, to the plot. It was artistically more attractive, it lacked overdramatization and, well, in hindsight, it was a tad short of perfection as far as film-making goes. The Eklavya-Pigeon scene, for instance, is the perfect moment to showcase that little lost magic in the heart of India. Would certainly appeal more to the folks at the Oscars, over eleven women running around with hockey sticks.

And then, there’s the Bollywood scene of the year for me - VVC’s touch of brilliance - plunging the audience into darkness for nearly two minutes as we were left wondering if Inox had acted up.

But, seriously, while Eklavya might look like the right choice as far as technicality is concerned, atleast two movies that released this year were way, way better, simply because of the loyalty to the plot. And the performances in these movies - especially the protagonists - were awesome.

Yep. Spot on. I’m talking about Black Friday and Parzania. I’m not sure how many of you have actually seen them, but if you haven’t, you’re missing something.

Both these movies told real-life stories that left us wondering. They’re thought-provoking. They’re the kind of flicks that leave lasting imprints in one’s memories. I ask you - what’s the prime motive behind a movie? Showcase art? Entertain? Action? Irrespective of genre, the one thing that binds movies together - even mindless (not mindless) laugh-riots that Priyadarshan offers - is the story.

Every movie tells a story. These two movies not just talked about very intense incidents, but did full justice to them. Black Friday, in particular, was nothing short of a masterpiece, and moreso, it had Indian Ocean lending the music - perfection as far as capturing the moment is concerned. The film-makers have been through a lot to actually get the flicks to the theaters - they had the balls to persist with the project amid speculation and criticism. It all, of course, is reflected on-screen in the class they both offer.

So, while I am disappointed that Black Friday didn’t get picked, I’m a tad pleased that we didn’t lick the box-office’s rear by sending one of our hit flicks to the Oscars.

And, if you ask me, I give a damn about the Oscars in the first place. In fact, I would’ve detested them - just that they finally gave Scorcese his due this year.

Not that Vidhu Vinod Chopra agrees at this moment, but hey ; - )