15 Oscar-nominated films to be screened in Indian theatres
The line-up includes Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Song Sung Blue, Arco, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Marty Supreme, F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2 among others
The Oscar-obsession of Indians is not limited to wanting to bring home the golden statuette. There is a growing eagerness among domestic audiences to watch the films that have secured nominations. With that in mind, PVR INOX is rolling out a festival of 15 films in 23 cities across 58 cinemas from February 20.
After the success of the specially-curated ‘Oscar film festival’ for the last two years, this year it will showcase Oscar nominees, including Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Song Sung Blue and Arco that have not yet released in India. A number of Oscar-nominated movies such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, Marty Supreme, F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2 will also return to the Indian theatres. Bugonia, Weapons, Elio and The Smashing Machine are also part of the line-up.
“Typically, we have a three-week festival. This time, due to the commercial viability of the top performing films, we felt the need to increase the expanse,” says Aamer Bijli, lead specialist – innovation, film marketing and digital programming, PVR INOX Ltd. According to Sacnilk, an entertainment data platform, Sinners grossed around Rs 12.50 crore and One Battle After Another around Rs 6.15 crore in India. Marty Supreme earned Rs 6.22 crore, F1 minted Rs 105.07 crore, Jurassic World: Rebirth Rs 101.94 crore and Avatar: Fire and Ash Rs 192.70 crore.
Bijli says that the last two editions of the festival that will continue till March 18, saw the occupancy in theatres increasing gradually — starting at about 17 per cent and going up to 23 per cent. “We will bring the films that win awards towards the end of the festival. There’s a lot of demand on social media to watch these films. We want to ensure that the audiences get what they want,” he says.
The focus of PVR INOX Pictures Limited has been acquisition of international and Indian titles as well as presenting it to a wider audience. “Through this, we have about 36 titles since 2013 that have been nominated for the Academy Awards. We have been fortunate enough to partner with fantastic studios such as A24, Black Bear, Lionsgate and Neon,” Bijli shares and adds that the film acquisitions are done after attending film festivals across the globe and keeping their ear to the ground to understand which movies are creating a buzz. Some titles are acquired at a script stage while others at a completion or a pre-production stage.
Bijli says that the audience is currently lapping up both niche and popular movies. A case in point is the box-office performance of Sinners. “Director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B Jordan play a huge part in this. The franchise, like Black Panther, is popular in India and the audience is familiar with Coogler’s work. Similarly, Marty Supreme, headlined by Timothée Chalamet, is a niche film. But it managed to do a Rs 2 crore business in the first weekend of release. We are at a stage where the commercial success is validating audience interest in a film,” he says.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
