Rima Das' Assamese feature 'Village Rockstars' is India's official entry to Oscars 2019Sep 22 (AZINS) It is indeed a proud moment for India as filmmaker Rima Das' National Award-winning Assamese feature Village Rockstars has been chosen to represent the country in the Best Foreign Language category at the 91st Academy Awards next year, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Saturday.

The film narrates the story of Dhunu, a girl who grows up in poverty and learns to fend for herself. However, that does not prevent her from following her dream of forming a rock band and owning a guitar someday.

Elated with the news, Rima Das said that Village Rockstars selection is a 'huge recognition' for filmmakers from northeast.

"It feels great. I don't have many words to explain. The whole journey is kind of a fairy tale. It is a huge recognition for northeast and I think it is the first Assamese film to get selected. So I believe it will change a lot for filmmakers from the region," Rima told PTI.

"I was always hopeful. I was always looking forward to going to the festivals and winning accolades. But most important for me was that people should connect with the film. That emotional connections is something which I have achieved through this film," she added.

Village Rockstars, starring Bhanita Das in the lead role, had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and has toured more than 70 prestigious international and national film festivals.

The coming-of-age film had bagged the Best Feature Film trophy at the 65th National Film Awards, besides also winning Best Child Artist, Best Location Sound Recordist and Best Editing.

The announcement was made by SV Rajendra Singh Babu, Chairman, Selection Committee for Oscar Award, FFI.

"It is technically a film with good human concept that would touch people around the world. We are honouring a film that deserves to be at the Oscars. We are hopeful and confident that people will see and respect the film," SV Rajendra told reporters.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat, Alia Bhatt-starrrer Raazi, Rani Mukerji fronted Hichki, Shoojit Sircar's October, Love Sonia directed by Tabrez Noorani, Tumbaad, Halkaa, Kadvi Hawa and latest release Manto were part of the list of 28 films submitted for next year's Oscars.

No Indian film has ever won an Oscar. The last Indian film that made it to the final five in the Best Foreign Film category list was Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan in 2001.

Mother India (1958) and Salaam Bombay (1989) are the other two Indian films to have made it to the top five.

Hindi film Newton by director Amit Masurkar, starring Rajkummar Rao was India's official submission to the Oscars last year.