Films & documentaries that brought global glory to India at the Academy Awards

Oscars 2024: Set up in India, ‘To Kill a Tiger’, a Canadian documentary film has been nominated at the 96th Academy Awards in the Best Documentary Feature category. Directed by Delhi born Nisha Pahuja, this documentary is the solitary India-linked film at the Oscars this year.

‘The Elephant Whisperers’ is the only Indian documentary to have won an Oscar ever, but there have been a few of other films, which almost made it to the top by being nominated.

Here are the Indian films and documentaries that have brought glory to India at Oscars.

Mother India (1957)

The Mehboob Khan-directorial, starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar and Rajendra Kumar, was a massive box office hit. The film revolved around a brave, poverty-stricken woman, who struggles to raise her sons. In the absence of her husband, she works day and night to fetch daily bread, and refuses to sacrifice her integrity.
The film was widely appreciated for focusing on women empowerment.
‘Mother India’ was the first Indian film to be nominated for the Oscars for Best International Feature Film.

Salaam Bombay! (1988)

This was the second Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature film. Directed by Mira Nair, the film narrates the story of a 12-year-old boy who earns a living away from his family, in the slums of Mumbai, and faces various challenges that life throws at him. The film starred Shafiq Syed, Raghuvir Yadav, Anita Kanwar, Nana Patekar, Hansa Vithal, and Chanda Sharma.

Lagaan (2001)

The Ashutosh Gowariker directorial, which starred Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh, tells the story of oppressed farmers who have a draconian tax imposed upon them by the Britishers. Bhuvan, a farmer, is shown accepting the challenge of an arrogant British commander to beat his team in a cricket match, which will enable his village to not pay taxes for the next three years.

Writing with Fire (2021 Documentary Film)

Directed by Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas, this documentary narrates the story of a fearless group of journalists running the Dalit women-led newspaper. The group aims to help the people of the country and redefine what it means to be powerful.

All that breathes (2023 Documentary Film)

Directed by Shaunak Sen, the documentary follows the journey of two brothers as they do their bit for the ecosystem. Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud make it their mission to save injured black kites amid New Delhi’s pollution emergency and simmering social tension.