'Midhunam', 'Sri Jagadguru...' recommended for Oscars?

The Telugu Film Producers' Council is said to have recommended Telugu films "Midhunam" and "Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankara" to the Film Federation of India (FFI) as contenders for India's official entry to the Academy Awards best foreign language film category.

"I have been informed that my film ('Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankara') has been recommended by Telugu Film Producers' Council to FFI for the Oscars in the best foreign language film category. I'll be extremely happy if it gets selected for the Academy Awards," the film's director J.K Bharavi, told IANS.

"Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankara", a biopic on the iconic 9th century saint Adi Sankaracharya, features an ensemble cast of Kaushik, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Sri Hari, Pudipeddi Sai Kumar and Manchu Mohan Babu.

"Midhunam", on the other hand, is a story on the relationship of an elderly couple. It featured only two characters essayed by singer-actor S.P. Balasubramanyam and Lakshmi.

"We have also recommended 'Midhunam'. The final decision to screen the film rests with the FFI," said a member of Telugu Film Producers Council.

"Midhunam", directed by Tanikella Bharani was not a commercially successful film, but earned critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

All Indian films being recommended for the Oscars will be viewed by a special committee of the FFI Sep 17 onwards.

One movie will be selected for the consideration of Oscar awards in the best foreign language film category.