Devdas heads for the Oscars

Sanjay Leela Bhansali8217;s Devdas has been chosen as the country8217;s official entry to the 75th Annual Academy Awards next April. A 16-member committee of the Film Federation of India selected the extravagant take on the classic Saratchandra Chatterjee novel over Rajkumar Santoshi8217;s The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Karan Johar8217;s Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Mani Ratnam8217;s Kannathil Muthamittal.

Producer Bharat Shah said: 8216;8216;We created quite a splash in the US when we released Devdas there. Now we8217;re going to go the whole hog. We feel it has the power to appeal to a global audience.8217;8217;

Shah, happy his pet production has made the grade, said he8217;s hopeful the film will bag an Oscar. 8216;8216;The competition is tough. But there8217;s a lot of attention on Indian. Lagaan paved the way. Hopefully Devdas will benefit from Aamir Khan8217;s efforts.8217;8217;