Controversy Surrounds Rejection of 'Sardar Udham' as India's Official Oscar Entry: A Debate on Remembering the Past and Presenting India to the World


In 2021, an Indian jury rejected the film "Sardar Udham" as India's official entry for the Academy Awards (commonly known as the Oscars). The jury member, Indraadip Dasgupta, cited the reason for the rejection being that the film "projects our hatred towards the British." He went on to say that in this era of globalization, it is not fair to hold on to this hatred.


The film "Sardar Udham" tells the story of Sardar Udham Singh, a revolutionary freedom fighter who sought to end British colonial rule in India. The film explores Singh's motivation and actions, including his assassination of Michael O'Dwyer, the British official responsible for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, India.


While the film has been well-received by critics and audiences alike, with praise for its performances and storytelling, the jury's decision to reject it as India's official entry for the Oscars sparked controversy and debate. Some saw the decision as a betrayal of India's history and heritage, arguing that the film accurately portrays's Singh's actions and the atrocities committed by the British during colonial rule.


Others, however, saw the decision as a sign of progress and maturity, arguing that India should move beyond past conflicts and focus on building a more positive relationship with the British. They also argue that the film's portrayal of hatred towards the British will create a negative perception of India in the international community.

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In any case, the rejection of "Sardar Udham" as India's official entry for the Oscars highlights the ongoing debate over how India should remember and commemorate its past, and how it should present itself to the world.