'Lagaan', 'Mother India', 'The White Tiger': 5 Bollywood films that got nominated for an Oscar Award

The Indian film industry has grown leaps and bounds over the years. It has churned out some great content that not only received appreciation from people in India but also appealed to a global audience. This year, ‘Writing With Fire’ has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category at the 94th Academy Awards. Ahead of the grand ceremony, here's taking a look at FIVE Bollywood movies that have scored Oscar nominations over the years.

Read Also:Oscar spotlight shines on India's rural women journalists with documentary 'Writing with Fire'

The Sunil Dutt and Nargis starrer ‘Mother India’ is undoubtedly one of the cult classic films we have in Bollywood. The movie was reportedly one of the most expensive Bollywood productions of its time. According to reports, it was also one of the highest-earning films at the box office until the release of ‘Mughal-e-Azam’. The Mehboob Khan directorial also starred Raaj Kumar and Rajendra Kumar in key roles. ‘Mother India’ was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Critically acclaimed movie, ‘Salaam Bombay’ bagged a nomination in the Best Foreign Film category in 1989. The movie was co-written, directed and co-produced by Mira Nair. The film gave an insight into the world of drugs, prostitution and child labour in the slums of India. It starred Shafiq Syed, Raghuvir Yadav, Anita Kanwar, Nana Patekar, Hansa Vithal and Chanda Sharma.

Ashutosh Gowariker’s critically and commercially acclaimed ‘Lagaan’ is still one of the most loved films amongst the Bollywood buffs. The movie is about a small group of village people, who challenge a newly imposed tax by competing against British rulers in a cricket championship. It starred Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh in lead roles. The movie also caught the attention of the international audience by bagging a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film Category.

Popular fashion designer Ritu Kumar’s son Ashvin Kumar’s short film, ‘Little Terrorist’ was nominated in the Best Live Action Short Film category at the Academy Awards. The film was written, directed and produced by Ashvin and starred Julfugar Ali in the lead role. The movie was about a 12-year-old Pakistani Muslim who accidentally crosses the border and befriends a Hindu Brahmin, Bhola.

The latest Indian film to grab the attention of the global audience was ‘The White Tiger’ that starred Priyanka Chopra, Rajkummar Rao and Adarsh Gourav in lead roles. Written and directed by Ramin Bahrani, the movie is about an ambitious Indian driver (played by Adarsh) who uses his wit to escape from poverty and rise to the top. ‘The White Tiger’ was nominated in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.