Putul, directed and produced by Indira Dhar is in the running for the Best Picture category of the 97th Academy Awards. The film has made history as the first Bengali film to earn this feat as a consideration for nomination in the prestigious Oscar Awards. This highlights the strength of regional Indian cinema and its ability to connect with audiences worldwide through meaningful storytelling.
For Indira Dhar, the journey to this historic moment has been nothing short of extraordinary. Hailing from a simple, middle-class family far removed from the world of cinema, Indira embarked on her filmmaking journey with no industry connections or external support. Putul was a labor of love, produced entirely through her own relentless determination and vision.
Crafting a film from scratch, Indira took on multiple roles—writing, directing, and producing. Without the backing of international producers or the luxury of a large budget, she assembled a dedicated team to bring her vision to life. The film was also screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation from the audience
Speaking about this news, Indira said, "Achieving this milestone is not just a recognition of my work but a celebration of every dreamer who dares to believe. I am very happy and would like to thank the Academy of Motion Pictures and the Oscar committee for considering our film to compete for the Best Picture Category among thousands other entries world wide. For the first time in history, a Bengali film, Putul, has been selected as one of 207 films worldwide competing for Best Picture category. This is my debut feature film and as the director and producer I’m extremely grateful to my team members and all those who have supported the film.
Talking about the journey of the film, Indira added, “ The past five years were extremely difficult- not having any large budgets or international producers on board to fund the film was very challenging, shooting the film also came with its set of challenges, the film delves into the lives of street children of India which required us to shoot on the streets, but I’m very grateful that everything worked out eventually. I wish for India to shine bright at the 97th Academy Awards.”
As the Oscars draw closer, the anticipation surrounding Putul continues to build. Whether it secures the golden statuette or not, this moment has already carved a permanent place for Indira Dhar and her team in the annals of Indian cinema history.
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