RITESH BATRA’S THE LUNCHBOX OSCAR RACE STRENGTHENS

RITESH BATRA’S THE LUNCHBOX OSCAR RACE STRENGTHENS

 

Official selection at the coveted Telluride film festival

      Only 24 films worldwide selected at the festival

         Most Telluride selections make it to the Academy awards shortlist

Having won rave reviews and accolades across the Globe, THE LUNCHBOX directed by Ritesh Batra has now been officially selected to screen at the Telluride film festival.

Held annually in Telluride, USA; the festival is regarded amongst the most coveted and exclusive film festivals in the world. Selecting only 24 films from across the globe, the festival is renowned for its program and the fact that most of the films selections make it to the Academy awards nominations.

“I am thrilled to be in Telluride and in a line-up that includes my favourite filmmakers the Coen brothers and Robert Redford. I hope The Lunchbox continues to bring accolades to India.” Says director Ritesh Batra

Films such as Slumdog Millionaire, Amour, The Artist, Argo, The Kings Speech, The Crying game, Lost in Translation, Breaking the Waves, among numerous others. Critics have referred to the festival as a springboard to the Oscars.

“It’s such a great honour that The Lunchbox will be playing at Telluride. Looking at how all their past selections have made it to the Oscars only bolsters our faith in the film and its journey ahead” says Guneet Monga, Producer and CEO, Sikhya Entertainment

With Sony Picture classics backing the film in USA and Canada, with a great academy awards nominations and win track record, THE LUNCHBOX seems like a on a path for the Best for Foreign films nomination.

Karan Johar who is presenting the film says:The Lunchbox has been on a streak of amassing rave reviews and numerous accolades at various film festivals. Other films playing at the festival alongside The Lunchbox will include the Inside Llewyn Davis, Blue is the warmest colour, Gravity, Nebraska, The Past and Labor Day amongst others.

Adding to this Siddharth Roy Kapur Managing Director – Studios, Disney UTV. “This is great news for all of us involved with the film. We believe good content transcends boundaries and with The Lunchbox reaching out to such a wide international audience already and being loved universally, we intend to ensure the same reach for the film in India,” 

The film is being readied for a September 20 release and is being presented by UTV Karan Johar and DAR Motion Pictures and has been produced by Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap and Arun Rangachari. Co-Producers on the film include NFDC, Essel Vision, ASAP films, ROH films and Cine Mosaic.