Oscar nom for DAM 999 a proud moment

The director of Oscar-shortlisted movie DAM 999 feels the movie’s nominations have made the UAE and India proud.Produced by UAE-based BizTV Network and directed by debutant Indian filmmaker Sohan Roy, the controversial film that was banned in one Indian state has been shortlisted among 265 films that made it to the preliminary round for the Best Picture at Oscars 2011. Three songs from the 3D film — its theme song, Dakkanaga Dugu Dugu and Mujhe Chod Ke — have also been shortlisted among the final 39 songs selected for the Academy Original Songs category. Speaking to Khaleej Times from Bali, where he is vacationing, Roy said both India and the UAE have reasons to be happy about the achievement. “It’s an Indo-UAE co-production. Whatever money is invested in the movie is from the UAE. Only the technical people are from India,” a delighted Roy said on Wednesday.“When we were making the film, this was a target in our minds. We wanted to get into the Oscars. No matter we would win or not, we wanted at least one nomination,” he said. “I won’t have any words if it wins the Oscar… Now we are almost there.”Albeit the movie’s screenplay entering the Academy’s Library and the film itself contending for the Best Picture’s slot, Roy is more hopeful about the prospects of its music, composed by Malayalam music director Ouseppachan, and sound design by Shajith Koyeri getting the highest level of recognition at the Oscars. He also hopes that the Oscar recognition will help clear the ‘misunderstandings’ about the movie in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which banned its screening following protests in the wake of the Mullapperiyar dam row between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where Roy hails from.Roy’s petition against the ban is likely to be heard in the Supreme Court of India in the first week of January. However, he said he was positive about Tamilians getting an earlier chance to watch the movie and understand the story in its real sense when the DVDs get released on the Christmas Day.