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Bengali cinema marked a historic milestone when Putul became the first-ever Bengali feature film to be selected in the Best Picture category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed, written, and produced by Indira Dhar, the film stars Tanushree Shankar, Mumtaz Sorcar, Venessa, Sujan Mukherjee, Konineeca Bandopadhyay, Pratyusha Roslin, and Papia Rao Biswas.

Although the film ultimately didn’t make it to the final Oscar nominations, its selection itself is a monumental achievement for Bengali and regional Indian cinema.

Putul’s Oscars Journey: A Groundbreaking Achievement

In January 2025, Putul earned a coveted spot in the Academy’s Reminder List of 207 films competing for Best Picture, out of 323 eligible feature films. This list, published by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is a crucial step in the Oscars selection process.

Among Indian films, Aneek Chaudhuri’s Hindi film The Zebras also made it to the Reminder List, but only Putul advanced to the next stage.

Putul Triumphs Over Several Indian Contenders

In its Oscar journey, Putul outperformed several Indian hopefuls, including:
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life
All We Imagine As Light
Band of Maharajas
Kanguva
The Zebras
Girls Will Be Girls
Santosh

Adding to its accolades, Putul’s song ‘Iti Maa’, composed by Sayan Ganguly and sung by Iman Chakraborty, was also selected for the Best Original Song category at the Oscars 2025.

Indira Dhar’s Reaction to Putul’s Oscar Recognition

Upon the announcement, Indira Dhar expressed her immense joy and gratitude, stating:

“Achieving this milestone is not just a recognition of my work but a celebration of every dreamer who dares to believe. I am very happy and would like to thank the Academy of Motion Pictures and the Oscar committee for considering our film to compete for the Best Picture Category among thousands of other entries worldwide.

For the first time in history, a Bengali film, Putul, has been selected as one of 207 films worldwide competing for the Best Picture category. This is my debut feature film, and as the director and producer, I’m extremely grateful to my team members and all those who have supported the film.”

 


 

Putul’s Journey to Global Recognition

Cannes Film Festival Premiere: Before its Oscars feat, Putul had a successful premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival—Marché du Film—on May 16, 2024, earning a standing ovation.

Themes & Storyline: The film explores the daily struggles of street children, shedding light on societal double standards.

Impact on Bengali & Regional Cinema: While Putul didn’t reach the final Oscar nominations, its recognition at the global level proves that compelling storytelling resonates beyond borders. The film’s success highlights the growing influence of regional Indian cinema on the world stage.

A Landmark Moment for Indian Cinema

While Putul may not have secured a final Oscar nomination, its historic selection as the first Bengali film in the Best Picture race marks a huge win for Indian cinema. This achievement underscores the power of authentic storytelling, proving that regional films can make a global impact.