February 24, 2007
Hyderabad

When I attended AR Rahman’s Global Rhythm benefit show in April ’06 at East Michigan University, Ypsilanti, I could experience “Rang De Basanthi” fever sweeping across American campuses. It was not just its music people are dancing to but everyone was talking about the film, the script and the performances. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who was on special screening spree in US, was visibly happy on stage singing praises to his crew. It was like an early Oscar road show.

It must be heart-breaking for Rakeysh and many Indian fans to see “Rang De Basanthi” falling out of Best Foreign Film Oscar race. Though clichéd in the second half, RDB was packaged right and was the best possible shot for commercial Indian cinema to be recognized by Academy voters. It is unfortunate for Mehra to have RDB in the same year when there is a huge lineup of exceptional movies in the international cinema. This year’s list of Best Foreign language movies – Pan's Labyrinth (Mexico), The Lives of Others (Germany), Water (Canada), Days of Glory (Algeria) and After The Wedding (Denmark) – easily overshadow five “Best Film” nominees in terms of quality. Competition is so intense this year that even the much-acclaimed Pedro Almodovar’s Volver (Spain) could not find berth!

Foreign language movies entered mainstream this year at the Oscars. Hot favorite from Mexico, Pan’s Labyrinth, has six nominations including Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Mexican director Alejandro González received Best Director nomination for Babel. Penelope Cruz got Best Actress nomination for Spanish film Volver. Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi is competing in Best Supporting actress with her performance in Babel. Even the much anticipated winner on Oscar night, The Departed, is a remake of Hong Kong film Infernal affairs.

While most of the winners are predictable this year, the question on everyone’s mind is “Will Martin Scorsese finally win his Oscar on Sunday”? After creating his own cult of cinema across the years and five Best Director nominations so far, this director from New York is waiting with bated breath if it is finally his moment. The Departed may not be his best work when compared to his earlier classics Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Good Fellas, but an Oscar will be the fitting tribute to his illustrious career. Unless Academy and Clint Eastwood (Letters From Iwo Jima) spoil the party, it must be Marty all the way on Oscar night.

The same can’t be said of The Departed in Best Film category. Though it is slick and one of the best mob movies of all-time, will Hollywood crown an Asian remake as the best film of the year? Best Director and Best Film go together most of the time. But there were always some exceptions. Crash won Best film last year but Ang Lee got Best Director trophy for Brokeback Mountain. Spielberg won Best Director for Saving Private Ryan in 1999 but did not win Best Film that year. If Academy decides not to award a remake however well-made it is, Little Miss Sunshine may walk away with the final award of the evening.

Great actors not only live up to the demands of a complex role but also elevate an ordinary film into a classic by their sheer acting. The Last King of Scotland, released in 2006, is an average film but will be remembered forever because of the powerhouse performance by Forest Whitaker as the savage despot of recent times – Idi Amin. Though he made an impression earlier with his acting (The Crying Game, Bird, Good Morning Vietnam) and directing (Waiting to exhale and Hope floats), Whitaker’s whimsical villain act as Idi Amin is the pinnacle of his career. Best Actor Oscar is his for sure unless Academy wants to honor 75-year old Peter O'Toole (for Venus), who never won an Oscar in Acting category.

Another sure winner on Sunday is Helen Mirren. This British actress hitherto not so popular earlier is flowering as an artiste extraordinaire after the ripe age of 60. After winning every possible “Best Actress” award in the world for The Queen, Madame Mirren must be already preparing for her acceptance speech on Oscar podium. Incidentally both The Last King of Scotland and The Queen were written by another Brit, Peter Morgan, who is tipped to win Original Screenplay award for The Queen.

Runners-up in TV music shows are making more noise these days than the winners. While 2006 “American Idol” champion Taylor Hicks is yet to find the traction in stardom, runner-up Chris Daughtry is scorching billboards with his No. 1 debut album “Daughtry“. Another Idol runner-up Jennifer Hudson is all set to create history with Academy award for her very first film Dreamgirls. Though there is strong competition from 11-year old Shyamalan-discovery Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), it is going to be Ms.Hudson’ night on Sunday.

I wish Academy allow Best Supporting Actor trophy to be shared by two performers this year. Both Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls) and Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) created sparks (or should we say thunderstorms?) on screen with riveting performances in their films. Both richly deserve an Oscar and it is a shame that only one can walk away with an award.

My predictions for Oscar night:

Best Picture: Little Miss Sunshine
Best Director: Martin Scorsese (“The Departed“)
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker (“The Last King Of Scotland”)
Best Actress: Helen Mirren (“The Queen“)
Best Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy (“Dreamgirls”)
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”)
Best Foreign Language Film Pan's: Labyrinth (Mexico)
Best Original Screenplay: Peter Morgan (“The Queen”)
Best Adapted Screenplay: William Monahan (“The Departed”) .