Malayalam feature film ‘Jallikattu’, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, has been selected as India’s official entry for the International Feature Film category at the 2021 Oscars. The announcement was made by the Film Federation of India (FFI).

The film was unanimously chosen from 27 entries. Jallikattu is based on the short story ‘Maoist’ by Hareesh. It stars Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sabumon Abdusamad and Santhy Balachandran. “It is a film that really brings out the raw problems which are there in human beings, that is we are worse than animals,” filmmaker Rahul Rawail, Chairman, Jury Board, Film Federation of India, told reporters in an online press conference.

Calling Pellissery a “very competent director”, known for several critically acclaimed films like “Angamaly Diaries” and “Ea Ma Yau”, Rawail said “Jallikattu” is a production that the country should be proud of. “The whole film talks about an animal that has run amok in a butcher’s shop… The film has been depicted wonderfully and it has been shot very well. The emotion that comes out really moved all of us to have it selected,” the chairman said.

Some of the other movies in the race to be India’s entry for Oscars 2021 were The Disciple, Shakuntala Devi, Shikara, Gunjan Saxena, Chhapaak, AK vs AK, Gulabo Sitabo, Bhonsle, Chhalaang, Eeb Allay Ooo!, Check Post, Atkan Chatkan, Serious Men, Bulbbul, Kaamyaab, The Sky is Pink, Chintu ka Birthday and Bittersweet.