Why the Bahubali Movie Missed the Oscars: An Analysis
When the National Film Awards were announced, many hoped that SS Rajamouli would receive the Best Director award for his monumental film Bahubali, India's biggest blockbuster to date. However, the award instead went to Bajirao Mastani directed by Sanjay Leela Bansali. This article delves into why Bahubali might not have made it to the Oscars despite its critical and commercial success.
The Context of the Oscars
Competition: The Oscars are highly competitive, with films from around the world competing for recognition. Not only must the films stand out in their home country, but they also need to resonate with Western audiences and adhere to the specific themes and narratives preferred by the Academy.
The Selection Process
Selection Process: Only one film per country is eligible for the Best International Feature Film category. This stringent selection process often leaves several deserving films behind. Besides, the film needs to be submitted for consideration. Even if a film makes it past the initial selection, it still has to contend with other submissions from around the world, where the Academy often favors films that are more familiar or have stronger international appeal.
International Awareness and Cultural Context
Cultural Context: The Oscars often favor films that resonate with Western audiences, a trend that can sometimes result in a disconnect with the tastes of other cultures. While Bahubali is undeniably a masterpiece, its massive budget and cultural specificity might not fully align with the preferences of the Academy voters.
The Role of Campaigning
Campaigning: Success in the Oscar race requires significant investment in marketing and promotion. Films like Parasite or Drive My Car, which have received substantial backing to promote their films to Academy voters, have a better chance at winning compared to films with limited marketing resources.
Genre Bias and Indian Cinema's Struggle
Genre Bias and Indian Cinema's Struggle: Even with such remarkable success in India, the Bahubali series might still face bias due to its genre and scale. Many other films, such as Drive My Car from Japan, The Worst Person in the World from Norway, and Jai Bhim, compete with similar themes but might be favored because of their more universal appeal and distinctive storytelling.
Conclusion and Reflection
While Bahubali is undoubtedly a landmark in Indian cinema, the path to Hollywood recognition is fraught with challenges. Our own spectrum of movies to watch needs to be expanded. For instance, Indian audiences tend to focus on their own films, overlooking international submissions like Drive My Car and Drive My Car. These movies, nominated for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Foreign Feature Film, offer a different perspective and depth that can only be appreciated through a broader cultural lens.
Let us, as an industry, start watching and appreciating all Oscar-worthy films, regardless of their origin, and then make our comparisons and verdicts more informed and thoughtful.