The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are considered the most prestigious recognition in global cinema. Every filmmaker dreams of taking home the golden statuette, and while Hollywood dominates the award circuit, Indian cinema has also made its mark.
Over the years, several Indian films, documentaries, and individuals have been nominated and honored at the Oscars. But the question that arises most often is: Which Indian film has won an Oscar award?
In this comprehensive blog, we will explore India’s journey at the Oscars, highlight the films and artists who brought glory to the country, and understand the significance of these wins.
Table of Contents
✅ Understanding India’s Relationship with the Oscars
India is one of the largest film-producing countries in the world, with Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, and other regional industries producing over 1,500 films every year. Despite such a vast output, India has had limited representation at the Oscars.
This is primarily due to differences in storytelling, industry lobbying, and Hollywood’s global dominance. However, whenever India has made it to the Academy stage, it has been historic.
🎬 The First Indian Film to be Nominated for an Oscar
India’s journey at the Oscars began with Mother India (1957) directed by Mehboob Khan. The film was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category and narrowly missed the award to Italy’s Nights of Cabiria. This was the first time Indian cinema was recognized on such a global scale.
Since then, only a handful of Indian films have been nominated in this category:
- Mother India (1957) – Nominated
- Salaam Bombay! (1988) – Directed by Mira Nair, nominated
- Lagaan (2001) – Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, nominated
Unfortunately, none of these films managed to win the Oscar, but they paved the way for global recognition of Indian cinema.
🏆 Indian Films That Won Oscars
Now, let’s address the main question: Which Indian films actually won an Oscar?
Technically, no Indian feature film in Hindi or regional cinema has won the Best Foreign Language Film category. However, India has celebrated Oscar wins in other categories:
1. Gandhi (1982) – Multiple Awards
Although Gandhi is a British production directed by Richard Attenborough, the film is based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi and had strong Indian involvement. It won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Ben Kingsley. While it’s not an Indian production, it is often remembered in connection with India at the Oscars.
2. Smile Pinki (2008) – Best Documentary (Short Subject)
Directed by Megan Mylan, Smile Pinki is an Indian short documentary about a young girl born with a cleft lip. The story highlights poverty, health issues, and hope. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short in 2009, making India proud.
3. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – 8 Oscars
While Slumdog Millionaire was a British film directed by Danny Boyle, it had a strong Indian cast and setting. The highlight for India was that:
- A.R. Rahman won Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”).
- Resul Pookutty won for Best Sound Mixing.
- Gulzar, along with A.R. Rahman, won for the song “Jai Ho”.
This marked a historic moment for Indian artists at the Oscars.
4. Period. End of Sentence. (2018) – Best Documentary (Short Subject)
This documentary, set in rural India, focused on menstruation taboos and women empowerment. It won the Oscar in 2019 and brought attention to a crucial social issue in India.
5. The Elephant Whisperers (2023) – Best Documentary Short Film
Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, this heartwarming Netflix short about an indigenous couple caring for orphaned elephants won the Oscar in 2023. It was the first Indian production to win in this category.
6. RRR’s Naatu Naatu (2023) – Best Original Song
S.S. Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR made history when its song “Naatu Naatu”, composed by M.M. Keeravani and written by Chandrabose, won the Oscar for Best Original Song. This was the first time an Indian feature film won in a music category at the Academy Awards.
⭐ Individual Indians Who Won Oscars
Apart from films, several Indians have won Oscars individually:
- Bhanu Athaiya – Best Costume Design for Gandhi (1982). She was the first Indian to win an Oscar.
- Satyajit Ray – Honorary Academy Award (1992) for lifetime achievement in cinema.
- A.R. Rahman, Gulzar, and Resul Pookutty – For Slumdog Millionaire (2009).
- Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga – For The Elephant Whisperers (2023).
- M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose – For RRR’s Naatu Naatu (2023).
📌 Why Indian Films Struggle at the Oscars
Despite being one of the largest film industries in the world, India has limited Oscar wins. Some reasons include:
- Different Storytelling Styles – Hollywood favors subtle narratives, while Indian films often feature melodrama and songs.
- Lack of International Lobbying – Campaigning for Oscars requires heavy investments.
- Language Barriers – Many Indian films are in regional languages with limited international accessibility.
- Global Competition – Countries like Italy, Japan, and Iran often dominate the Best International Feature category.
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📖 Conclusion
So, to answer the question “Which Indian film got Oscar award?” – The first fully Indian-produced film to win an Oscar was The Elephant Whisperers (2023) in the Best Documentary Short category. Later, RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” made history by winning Best Original Song in the same year. While many Indian films have been nominated, only a few have achieved this global recognition.
India’s journey at the Oscars shows progress and growing global acceptance of Indian storytelling. With filmmakers experimenting in new genres, the day is not far when a mainstream Indian feature film might bring home the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
