'Adaminte Makan Abu' India's official Oscar entry

Mumbai, Sep 24 (IANS) National Award-winning Malayalam film 'Adaminte Makan Abu' has been selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI) to be the country's official entry to the Academy Awards this year.

Directed by Salim Ahamed, the family drama about an elderly Muslim couple and their struggles to go on a pilgrimage to Haj was the Best Film at the 58th National Film Awards for 2010 and beat 15 other movies in consideration.

'Adaminte Makan Abu' has been chosen as the official Oscar entry this time around. This was the jury's final decision,' T.P. Aggarwal, president, FFI, told IANS.

When the film bagged the best film honour at the National Awards, it was recommended that the movie that wins this award should be India's official entry at the Oscars every year.

However, Supran Sen, general secretary of FFI, denied that the selection of the film was a result of that recommendation.

'Choosing this film as the Oscar entry is not a result of discussions that the National Award-winning film will be sent as India's official entry for the Academy Awards,' he told IANS.

The 84th Academy Awards will be held Feb 27, 2012.

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