Ashutosh invited to the Oscars!

Ashutosh Gowariker's LAGAAN narrowly escaped from winning the esteemed Oscar award. It lost the race by just an inch. But LAGAAN getting a nomination was in itself a feat that we are all proud of! LAGAAN was instrumental in bringing Bollywood onto the map in the real sense and undoubtedly a milestone in Indian cinema.

Ashutosh's efforts however did not go futile as he was gifted with the membership of the Director's branch of Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. The Academy is the organization that confers the Oscar awards every year. This means that Ashutosh is eligible to vote for the Oscars.

And now another honor comes knocking on his door. Ashutosh and his wife Sunita Gowariker have been invited to attend the 78th Annual Academy Awards presentation that will be held on Sunday, March the 5th 2006 at 5 pm at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Sure it's a fabulous gesture conferred to one of the best and deserving filmmakers in India. Well, great going, Ashutosh, congratulations!