As India comes within touching distance of an Oscar this evening, HT City asks directors why India makes it to the

Academy Awards only when a foreign filmmaker turns their camera on this country. Case in point, Richard Attenboroughs Gandhi (eight awards) and Slumdog Millionaire (10 nominations, with at least three likely). When Indian directors touch on the same subject poverty the world doesnt seem to care. Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor does not think nationality matters at all. Its not relevant who has made the movie, whether Indian or European. In this film, everyone from the actors to the technicians is Indian. However Anees Bazmi, director of the flick Singh is Kinng feels the problem arises because Indian directors cannot sell the concept as well as foreign filmmakers. The foreign awards function are such that there are various screenings and you need to have great PR. Foreign filmmakers can promote the concept of a nation that makes snakes drink milk with more enthusiasm than an Indian director can because the latter is well versed with it. Changes? Dont think so Despite the success of Slumdog, Indian filmmakers dont think poverty will suddenly become marketable. Director-producer Mahesh Bhatt feels the theme of poverty will never work in an industry catering to an escapist mindset. Indian viewers want to get rid of poverty, but for foreigners, poverty is exotic... thats what they want to see in India, he says, pointing out how Sudhir Mishras Dharavi (1992) and Rabindra Dharmarajs Chakra (1981), both set in the slums of Mumbai, went unnoticed. Director Harry Baweja believes there is a certain something that a foreign jury looks for in an Indian film. I read that A Wednesday [a film on terrorism] was not selected in the foreign film category because its content was not what the jury expected in an Indian film, he says. So what does a jury expect in a meaningful Indian film is it always poverty, feudal background, historical events? Lets just point to the evidence: the three Indian entries at the Oscars this year Slumdog Millionaire, The Final Inch and Smile Pinki all deal with poverty and disease.