Much against the expectations and aspirations of millions in the country, The Film Federation of India shortlisted Gujarati film Chello Show (The Last Show) as its official entry for the prestigious Oscars thus snubbing Rajamouli's magnum opus RRR. Rajamouli however did not lose heart and promoted the film across the world and nominated the film for the Oscars with the help of the producers.
Rajamouli remained silent all these days and now speaking to scribes shared his thoughts on RRR snub by the Indian jury and also about The Chello Show. Rajamouli said 'Yeah, it is disappointing. But we are not the kind of people who would sit and brood on why it didn’t happen. What has happened has happened and we should go forward with it'.
Rajamouli continued , 'But I am happy because it (Chhello Show) is also an Indian film and it has also been shortlisted for Oscars. I’m quite happy for it. Of course, everyone knew RRR had a much bigger chance. Here (in the US) everyone felt RRR had a bigger chance'.
On The Lunch Box missing the bus with the FFI not selecting it, Rajamouli said 'I don’t know how the committee (Film Federation of India – which selects India's Oscar entries), or the guidelines of the committee... how they do the stuff. I don’t know that and I can’t comment on it. What I really feel bad about for is The Lunchbox. For me...I don’t make films for critical acclaim. I make films for money, I make films for the audiences, it (RRR) is a commercial film, and once my film commercially does well, I’m very happy with it. And Awards are an extension to it'.