Director Amit Masurkar’s Newton was selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars in the Foreign Language category yesterday. Now, the Rajkummar Rao-starrer has become the first Indian movie to get a grant of Rs1 crore from the Central government for being selected to the Academy Awards.
Newton review: Rajkummar, Pankaj Tripathi excel in superficial triumph of electoral democracy
Speaking about the decision, Telugu director and producer CV Reddy, chairman of the Oscars jury, told The Times Of India newspaper, “The amount is being given to encourage good and meaningful cinema.” He also said that the film’s selection to the Oscars was a unanimous decision.
The jury considered 26 films from different Indian languages for the selection. This also included SS Rajamouli’s biggest Indian blockbuster Baahubali: The Conclusion, which wasreleased earlier this year.
Rajkummar Rao: Actor is supposed to play characters, not show six-packs every time
Produced by Manish Mundra’s Drishyam Films, Newton managed to earn Rs85 lakh approximately yesterday when it released. Considering it has been released only in 500 screens, the number is decent. With positive reviews and word-of-mouth, coupled with its selection for Oscars, Newton is expected to earn well in the weekend.
I feel sad when called a supporting actor: Pankaj Tripathi
The film also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Anjali Patil. It tells the story of an honest clerk who tries to run a fair election in a Naxalite area.
When I enter the acting space, everything else dissolves: Newton actress Anjali Patil
Here's an interview of Masurkar by Cinestaan.com during the Berlin film festival which was held in February this year: