'Tingya'- lost but not out : IndiaGlitz.com

Everyone around has whole heartedly accepted 'Taare Zameen Par' being the official Indian entry for the 81st Academy Awards in the foreign-language category.
It was quite natural to happen as no other Indian film in the recent times has captured the attention of the people all over India and also been able to communicate so effectively about a serious problem faced by the children like Aamir Khan's directorial debut.
But another very much critically acclaimed and realistic film is also preparing to begin its journey to try to reach the final round of the best foreign film section.
The Marathi film 'Tingya' considered as one responsible for reviving the interest in Marathi cinema will be going to the Oscars as an independent entry.
The fight to represent India at the Academy Awards was between 'TZP' and 'Tingya' directed by the first time film maker Mangesh Hadawale.
Finally after some hours of heated discussions the Jury of the Film Federation of India who are responsible for selecting the official entry to the Oscars gave the positive nod for 'Taare Zameen Par'.
Each and every other element that made the two films memorable and so widely appreciated were discussed in detail by the jury members before deciding on 'TZP'.
The only reason that worked against 'Tingya' getting the first place was the technical superiority that 'TZP' had.
The Marathi film which told the touching story of the relationship between a little boy and his pet bull amid the grave reality of the agrarian crisis in Maharastra penetrated deep inside the minds of all film lovers across the world riding on its fantastic and refreshing story line presented in a way through which the audience could relate to it perfectly.
The big difference in the technical side between the two top contenders was due to the very low budget of Rs.27 lakhs with which 'Tingya' was made.
After loosing out to 'TZP' the producer Ravi Rai decided to take his film as an independent entry.
It was for the second time 'TZP' and 'Tingya' competed against each other.
In the MAMI International Film Festival Awards the Marathi film had beaten Aamir's product and also 'Chak De India' to bag the top honour.
However producer Ravi Rai does not have any hard feelings due to 'TZP' getting the chance to be the official entry.
In fact 'TZP' is one of his favourite films and he does fully agree with the factor of technical finesse as given out by the jury members.
Whether 'Tingya' got selected to be India's film at the Oscar or not is not what has to be thought upon.
The incredible trip of this small yet beautiful film from a time when it was rejected by 42 producers, a determined man who believed in the simple innocent story going ahead with the project armed with a budget that do not even equal the fund of a top class music video made in Bollywood in the present times and finally winning over 37 awards globally is equal to getting any big award.

'Tingya' to go to Oscars as independent entry

Critically acclaimed Marathi film "Tingya", a sensitive portrayal of a six-year-old boy's love for his bull in backdrop of Maharashtra's agrarian crisis, will be sent as an independent entry to this year's Oscars 2009 in the foreign language category.

"Tingya", which has won 37 awards including five at the international festivals, lost out to Aamir Khan's "Taare Zameen Par" when a Film Federation of India (FFI) jury chose the latter as India's official entry to the Academy.

Producer of "Tingya" Ravi Rai said he will apply independently. Rai also made it clear that he bore no ill will towards the FFI jury or Aamir's film.

"'Taare Zameen Par' is my personal favourite because a top star like Aamir decided to produce and direct a film about a relevant issue concerning children," Rai said.

Pointed out that "Tingya" was equally good, he claimed the jury members had a difficult choice in selecting the official entry. The decision and went against "Tingya" on grounds that it lacked technical finesse, he said.

"I feel a film's soul is more important," he added. The noted television producer who turned to big screen with "Tingya" directed by newcomer Mangesh Hadawale said all the nine films in fray this year were deserving. "It shows that good times are here for Indian cinema," he added.