In a few hours from now, the biggest night of the year in Hollywood - the Oscars 2017 will kick off. While the final preparations are still underway, we spoke to the film fraternity in India to understand which film - that have been successful at changing the perception of viewers - they are rooting for and what performances they feel have not just been difficult, but compelling too and deserve applause at the Academy Awards.
Predicting La La Land’s victory at the Oscars 2017 isn’t tough. The fact that the film has already earned huge critical and commercial acclaim, it is expected to bag top honours at the Oscars as well. But is that what those who have watched other nominated titles feel?
Actor Vinay Pathak wants Moonlight to win Best Film. Like most critics, who felt Moonlight is an amazingly-crafted film that focuses on the kind of a protagonist that Hollywood usually stays away from, or portrays in a way to stereotype it, Pathak also sounf the story a poor, gay, black man extremely impressive. “I saw the film recently and I was totally blown away by it. Moonlight is a wonderfully made film. And it comes from a first time filmmaker. Honestly speaking, Moonlight should win Best Film.” Pathak also wants Moonlight to Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Actress In a supporting role and Best Actor in a supporting role.
While Mahershala Ali remains Vinay Pathak’s favourite in Best Actor category, Pathak also wants Casey Affleck to win the award for his powerful performance in Manchester by the Sea. “He has always been a wonderful actor, but somehow he has been overshadowed by the fact that he is Ben’s brother. It is high time he came on his own. He is a fantastic actor,” he told News18.com.
For actor Manoj Bajpai, Manchester by The Sea, who is being lauded for the depth of its story, is the best nomination for Best Film. “I’m all for the film and Casey Affleck. It has everything one would need in a film - from an amazing script to best performances. Frankly, for me entertainment has a completely different definition. If a film can leave an impact both mentally and emotionally, and if a journey has a meaning, it touches me,” he says.
On being asked for his choice for Best Actress, Isabelle Huppert for Elle pat comes the reply. “I’m biased there. I have always followed her.It’d be amazing to see a French actress win Oscar.”
However for Pathak, Emma Stone should win Best Actress for her performance in La La Land. “I think I heard this somewhere that the role was first offered to Emma Watson. The only good thing about the film is Emma Stone. The film was decent, but Emma stood out, and made it emotionally viable.”
With a record-equalling 14 nominations, La La Land is expected to bag the top honours at the Academy Awards. Even though it is classic, it is being appreciated for being contemporary. And that’s why actress Neha Dhupia is also pinning her hopes on the film. Yes, she thinks the film feels just so right! “La la land is a film that nourished me - my inside, my outside- every bit. While Moonlight is also a great film and I think this is the right time for the film to come out, I want La La Land to win. I mean 5 years from now people would understand why it is important for such a film to win. La La Land did to me what Titanic could years back. La La Land makes me want to dance on top of cars. How many films make you feel that way?
As Dhupia tells us, she wants Damien Chazelle to win Best Director for La La Land and Emma Stone for Best Actress.
As far as Best Actor award is concerned, she feels there is a ‘tough’ fight between Casey Affleck and Ryan Gosling.
Neha is rooting for Viola Davis (Fences), but also appreciates Octavia Spencer for her performance in Hidden Figures.
Tisca Chopra is honest at admitting that she hasn’t had the time to watch the Oscar-nominated films. But she is happy to root for Dev Patel who has been nominated for his performances in Lion for the Best Actor in Supporting role category. “I’m quite fond of Dev, he is a surprising young actor. I like his work and hope he wins.”
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