Dec 26, 2013 - Mumbai: Director Subhashish Bhutiani's short film 'Kush', with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as its backdrop, is in the race for the Academy awards this year. The Indian short film has made it to the short list of 10 films that are in the contention for nominations in best live action film category at the 86th Academy Awards.
The 22-year-old director of the film, Subhashish Bhutiani, interestingly started working on 'Kush' as a submission while at New York's School of Visual Arts. But 'Kush', which is based on a true incident, has managed to win him recognition at the 70th Venice Film Festival, South Asian Film Festival and Hamton's International Film Festival.
"It is made on a budget of Rs 8 to 10 lakh and many people have funded this film. Initially it did require a lot of convincing since it's my first and it's not easy to make your first short in this budget," Bhutiani said.
Eight-year-old Shayan Samir plays the title role in 'Kush' that revolves around the struggle of a school teacher trying to protect 10-year-old Sikh boy on a School field trip, during the Sikh riots in 1984.
"Not many know about the incident. I didn't know and the film is very Indian at the same time the subject is very universal," Bhutiani said.
With 'The Good Road' out of the Oscar race, India will come to know about this 20-minute film's road to the Oscars once the nominees are announced on January 10, 2014.