Indira Dhar's Putul is the first Bengali film in Oscar Best Picture race

Indira Dhar's Putul, directed and produced by the visionary filmmaker herself, has made history by becoming the first Bengali film to enter the race for the Best Picture category at the 97th Academy Awards.
This landmark achievement underscores the growing global recognition of regional Indian cinema and its power to resonate with audiences worldwide through deeply meaningful storytelling.
For Indira Dhar, the journey to this historic milestone has been nothing short of extraordinary. Hailing from a modest, middle-class family with no ties to the film industry, Indira's path was paved with sheer determination and unwavering belief in her craft. Putul is a testament to her resilience, produced entirely through her relentless effort and vision.
Taking on multiple roles as writer, director, and producer, Indira crafted Putul from the ground up without the support of international producers or a substantial budget. Despite these challenges, she assembled a passionate team that shared her vision. The film has already earned critical acclaim, including a standing ovation at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Speaking about this momentous achievement, Indira said: "Achieving this milestone is not just a recognition of my work but a celebration of every dreamer who dares to believe. I am immensely grateful to the Academy of Motion Pictures and the Oscar committee for considering our film among thousands of entries worldwide. For the first time in history, a Bengali film, Putul, has been selected as one of 207 films competing in the Best Picture category. As a debut feature filmmaker, this moment is incredibly humbling, and I owe it all to my dedicated team and supporters."
Reflecting on the film's challenging journey, Indira added: "The past five years have been an uphill battle. The absence of large budgets and international producers made every step harder. Shooting on the streets of India to capture the raw essence of the lives of street children came with its own set of obstacles. But every hurdle was worth it, and I am proud that our story has reached such a global platform."

As the anticipation builds ahead of the Oscars, Putul stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for independent filmmakers and storytellers across the globe. Whether it takes home the golden statuette or not, Indira Dhar and her team have already etched their names in the annals of Indian cinema history with this remarkable achievement.