The Film Federation of India has named Gujarati film Chhello Show as India's official Oscars entry aka 95th Academy Awards.

According to a report in PTI, the Film Federation of India revealed on Tuesday that the 2021 film by director Pan Nalin, which stars Bhavin Rabari, Bhavesh Shrimali, Richa Meena, Dipen Raval and Paresh Mehta in lead roles, will compete at the Oscars. The movie had its world premiere as the opening film at the Tribeca Film Festival in June last year.

Last Film Show (Chhello Show) had its world premiere as the opening film at Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Film Festival and has won multiple awards across various international film festivals, including the Golden Spike at the 66th Valladolid Film Festival in Spain, where it also enjoyed commercial success during its theatrical run.

Many were campaigning for The Kashmir FIless or RRR, India's top grossing movies of the year to be named India's official Oscars entry. But of course, the Academy loves to give the Oscar to movies about movies and Chhello Show might also stand a strong chance at the Best International Feature.

Director Pan Nalin says, "I could have never imagined such a day would come and bring light and celebration of light. Chhello Show has been enjoying love from around the world but there was an ache in my heart that how do I make India discover it? Now I can breathe again and believe in cinema that entertains, inspires and enlightens! Thank you FFI, Thank you Jury."

Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur says, “We are thrilled and honoured that our film, Last Film Show has been selected to represent India at the Academy Awards. There could not be a more apt time for a film like this one, that celebrates the magic and wonder of cinema and the theatrical experience. When cinema-going around the world has been disrupted by a pandemic, it reminds audiences anew of the first time they fell in love with the experience of watching a movie in a darkened cinema hall. It is a matter of great pride for us to represent our country with this film!”