‘Barfi’, directed by Anurag Basu, beat 19 other movies to become India’s official entry to the 85th Academy Awards to be held in February 2013.
Anurag Basu is ecstatic about the news and feels blessed.
“We had not expected this kind of response to it - from Oscar nomination to box office collections to critical acclaim. All we knew is that we are making a special and a good film. I am numb, don't know how to react. I feel blessed. The Oscar nomination is icing on the cake,” said Anurag Basu to PTI.
‘Barfi’ that released on September 14 collected Rs 58.6 crores in its opening week at the box office and is still going very strong.
“We never thought we would get this kind of response. It is humbling. Box office collection does matter to some extent as we are in the business of filmmaking. But we intend to touch several hearts. If people get connected and the film entertains them, that is a victory for all of us,” he said.
“We do not make films thinking how much it will do well at the box office, what critics will say, all we want is that audience should like it. I would be happy if the film touches hundreds of hearts. The cost of production of 'Barfi' is Rs 35 crore, and going by the box collection we are already in profit. So whatever comes above this is good,” he added.
There have been reports that the directed and cast and crew were keen on remaking the movie in English.
“There are hardly 20 minutes of dialogues in the film. We haven't thought of it yet. I think the decision will be taken by our producers Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapoor,” he concluded.
The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor as deaf and dumb Murphy and Priyanka Chopra as an autistic girl. Ileana, who made her Bollywood debut with the film, plays Ranbir Kapoor’s instructor.