(This article is authored by Alar)

Kollywood is on a roll as four of its films have made it to the pre-language list for the 96th Oscar Awards. The films are ‘Viduthalai-1’, ‘Mamannan’, ‘Vaathi’ and ‘1947 August 16’, which showcase the diversity and excellence of the Tamil film industry. The Film Federation of India announced the nominations at the South Indian Chamber of Commerce in Annasalai, Chennai.

The four films have different genres and themes, but they all have a common thread of social relevance and artistic merit. ‘Viduthalai Part 1’ is a gritty crime thriller directed by Vetrimaran, who is known for his realistic and hard-hitting films. The film follows the lives of a group of police officers who are involved in a series of encounters and extrajudicial killings. The film raises questions about the ethics and morality of the law enforcement system and the human rights of the suspects.

‘Mamannan’ is a political drama directed by Mariselvaraj, who is also a renowned activist and writer. The film revolves around the life and struggles of a Dalit leader who fights for the rights and dignity of his oppressed community. The film exposes the caste discrimination and violence that plague the Indian society and the challenges faced by the marginalized sections. The film also features a powerful performance by Udhayanidhi Stalin  who is a state minister.

‘Vaathi’ is a romantic comedy directed by Venky Atluri, who is a newcomer in the Tamil film industry. The film tells the importance of education system. The film is a refreshing and entertaining take on the classic take, with a lot of humor and social message.

‘1947 August 16’ is a historical drama directed by Ponkumar NS. The film is set in the backdrop of the Indian independence movement and the partition of India and Pakistan. The film focuses on the lives of a group of friends who are caught in the turmoil and chaos of the historic event during Bristish's slavery.  The film depicts the horrors and tragedies of the partition, as well as the hopes and dreams of the people who fought for freedom.

The four films will compete with other films from around the world for the final nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars. The final list of nominees will be announced on January 25, 2024. The Oscar ceremony will be held on March 24, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The Tamil film industry is hopeful and confident that at least one of its films will make it to the final list and bring home the coveted golden statuette. Last year, the Telugu film ‘RRR’, directed by S.S. Rajamouli, won the Oscar for the Best Original Song making history as the first Indian film to win the prestigious award. The film was a magnum opus that narrated the fictional story of two freedom fighters from the pre-independence era.

The Oscar Awards are considered as the most prestigious and influential awards in the world of cinema. They are given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is a professional organization of filmmakers and artists. The awards recognize the excellence and achievement in various aspects of filmmaking, such as direction, writing, acting, editing, music, sound, visual effects, and more.