Oscar Winning Indian Movies that Made us Proud!

The Oscars, or the Academy Awards, are considered to be the most prestigious film awards in the world. The awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and recognize excellence in the film industry. 

While India has yet to win an Oscar for Best Picture, there have been several Indian films that have won in other categories. Both “Naatu Naatu” and “The Elephant Whisperers” took home Oscars for their respective performances on this momentous day for India. 

Naatu Naatu got the prize for “best original song,” and “The Elephant Whisperers” received the award for “best documentary on short topic.”In this blog, we will discuss some of the Oscar-winning Indian movies that entertain, you must watch. 

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Directed by Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars in 2009, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film follows a Mumbai slum boy who comes on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The film depicts Bombay with beautiful visuals and an ensemble cast of Indian performers.

Gandhi (1982)

Directed by Richard Attenborough, Gandhi won eight Oscars in 1983, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Ben Kingsley, who played the title role.

The film tells the story of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian nationalist leader who led the country to independence from British rule.

A Passage to India (1984)

Directed by David Lean, A Passage to India won two Oscars in 1985, including Best Supporting Actress for Peggy Ashcroft. The film is based on E.M. Forster’s novel of the same name and tells the story of a young British woman who travels to India and becomes involved in a cultural clash with the locals.

The Last Days of Chez Nous (1992)

Directed by Gillian Armstrong, The Last Days of Chez Nous won Best Original Screenplay at the 1993 Oscars. The film tells the story of a French-Australian family. The tensions that arise when the husband’s former lover comes to stay with them.

Born into Brothels (2004)

Directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, Born into Brothels won Best Documentary Feature at the 2005 Oscars. The film is about the lives of children growing up in the red-light district of Kolkata, and follows the efforts of Briski and Kauffman to teach the children photography as a means of self-expression.

Smile Pinki (2008)

Directed by Megan Mylan, Smile Pinki won Best Documentary Short Subject at the 2009 Oscars. The film tells the story of a young girl from a poor family in rural India who is born with a cleft lip and receives life-changing surgery.

Period. End of Sentence. (2018)

Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, Period. End of Sentence. won Best Documentary Short Subject at the 2019 Oscars. The film is about a group of women in a rural village in India who start a business making and selling sanitary pads, breaking the taboo surrounding menstruation.

In conclusion, these Oscar-winning Indian movies showcase the incredible talent and diversity of the Indian film industry. From the slums of Mumbai to the villages of rural India, these films tell stories that are both universal and uniquely Indian. Whether you are a fan of Bollywood or are looking for something new, these films are definitely worth watching.