Indian movies have for years been among the world’s largest and most pluralistic, enjoying a deep cultural penetration in the country as well as the world.
Even smaller-budget international movies like Anora won the award.
Why haven’t Indian movies received an Oscar, though, despite big budgets, and what are some of the prime reasons for the mismatch?
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Some Indian projects that did well in Oscar
There are certain Indian projects that have achieved success in the Academy Awards. Slumdog Millionaire (2008), though made by British director Danny Boyle, had an all-Indian cast and was made by an Indian production house.
It received eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, validating India’s presence in Hollywood.
Gandhi (1982), also a historical drama on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, took home eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Ben Kingsley.
Indian artists have also been awarded, including A.R. Rahman’s two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Slumdog Millionaire.
Indian films, especially those in Hindi cinema, have not yet won an Oscar in the big categories of Best Picture or Best Director.
But the question is why we are still lacking even after a big budget. There are some reasons below.
1. Oscar’s Affinity for Western Storytelling
The Academy tends to prefer Western-typified narratives, which have a tendency towards more restrained, realistic storytelling.
Indian movies, with their over-the-top characters, rich music, and cultural particularity, can be too lavish or too specialized for mass appeal.
Films such as Anora (a low-budget production) work because their less complicated, more universally applicable themes work across the globe, in contrast to the formulaic storylines of most big-budget Indian productions.
2. Narrative Style and International Appeal
Indian movies are formulaic in style, with an emphasis on family drama, romance, and action. Though successful locally, these narratives may lack the depth or international appeal that the Oscars seek.
Movies such as Anora, for example, even though they are low-budget, usually tend to excel at emotionally complex, minimalist narratives, which have a better chance of appealing internationally.
3. Performance and Acting Depth
Even though India has great actors, most big-budget movies tend to focus on high-energy, over-the-top performances, which are not always what the Oscars prize.
Low-budget films such as Anora present more emotionally naked, character-driven performances that would appeal more to Academy voters.
4. Cultural and Linguistic Barriers
Indian movies can be deeply embedded in particular cultural contexts and therefore less understandable to international audiences.
Even if Indian movies are intended for a wider audience, their cultural embeddedness can restrict their influence.
By contrast, movies such as Anora are more universally applicable and do not depend on cultural context to relate to audiences.
5. No Strategic Campaigning and International Exposure
The Oscars aren’t about making a good film; they need massive campaigning and visibility.
Even though Bollywood films are noticed, India has never focused on worldwide campaigning or screening events for the Academy voters.
Indian films fail to get adequate exposure due to this lack of visibility, thereby not receiving the required visibility for a nomination or an award.
6. Economic Resources vs. Artistic Vision
Big-budget Indian films often focus on spectacle and action, which may detract from the intimate, thought-provoking storytelling favored by the Oscars.
Smaller-budget films like Anora, despite lacking massive sets or star power, tend to prioritize strong scripts, character development, and emotional depth, making them more likely to resonate internationally.
Conclusion: A Changing Landscape
The absence of an Oscar win for Indian movies isn’t because of a shortage of talent but a divergence in storytelling style.
Indian movies’ rich culture and spectacle just don’t fit with the Oscars’ love of emotional complexity and universality.
With Indian cinema shifting towards more understated, yet relatable stories, the hope is that its movies will one day finally penetrate the Oscars.
But it would demand a change in the direction of emphasizing depth, subtlety, and international reach without sacrificing the distinctiveness of Indian culture.