`Barfi!` India`s official entry to the Oscars

Ranbir, Ileana and Priyanka in Barfi

Anurag Basu, Director 

Mumbai: Ranbir Kapoor starrer `Barfi!`, a love story of a deaf and mute boy set in the fairy-tale world of 1970s Darjeeling, has been nominated as Indian`s entry to the Oscars next year in the foreign film category.
The film, released only last week, has been directed by Anurag Basu. The story revolves around Barfi, a poor but lovable deaf and mute boy, who lives a happy life despite his disability.

He soon meets and falls in love with a pretty Bengali girl Shruti but heartbreak follows. He then develops a bond with his autistic childhood friend, which is played by Priyanka. The film also marks the debut of Southern star Ileana D`Cruz.

`Barfi!` beat 19 other films to represent India at the Oscars.

"Barfi is the Indian entry to the Oscars. We selected it to represent the country out of 20 films," Supran Sen, Secretory General of Film Federation of India said.
The earlier selections were `Rang De Basanti` (2006), `Harischandrachi Factory` (2009) and `Peepli Live` (2010)". 

"There were 7 Hindi films like `Kahaani`, `Gangs of Wasseypur Part I and II`, `Gattu`, `Jalpari` and Dirty Picture` among those shortlisted.

"Barfi was selected by the jury of 22 members," said Vinod Lamba of Film Federation of India.