Aamir Khan recently discussed the reasons Indian films often miss out on nominations for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars.
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Aamir was informed of Shah Rukh Khan’s perspective on the same topic, but he disagreed. Notably, no Indian film has been nominated in the Oscars’ Best International Feature category since Aamir’s 2001 blockbuster Lagaan.
Aamir also explained that getting an Oscar nomination, especially in the Best International Feature category, is extremely challenging. He noted that this category includes the best films from around 80 countries, making the competition tougher than other categories. With exceptional entries from nations like Iran, Germany, and France, securing a nomination itself is a significant achievement. He emphasized that the stiff global competition is why India doesn’t have nominations every year.Aamir was reminded of Shah Rukh Khan’s earlier comments on the matter. Shah Rukh had praised Lagaan as a perfect blend of art and commercial cinema and described it as a wonderfully crafted film. He had also suggested that Indian films need to adapt their format, implying that following global standards is essential. Shah Rukh likened it to following a dress code for a party, saying Indian films can’t adhere to their traditional two-and-a-half-hour runtime with songs if they want to compete on international platforms.
In response, Aamir disagreed with SRK’s view. He pointed out that Lagaan, despite being three hours and 42 minutes long with six songs, still earned a nomination. According to Aamir, the key is creating impactful work that resonates with audiences. He emphasized that Academy members appreciate quality, regardless of a film’s length or format, and acknowledged the strong competition from exceptional films worldwide.
In Indian history, only three films—Mother India, Salaam Bombay, and Lagaan—have been nominated in the International Feature category at the Oscars. Recently, RRR won Best Original Song, while The Elephant Whisperers secured Best Documentary Short. Additionally, Writing with Fire and All That Breathes received nominations in the Best Documentary Feature category.