Oscars 2025: From Santosh to Putul - 7 Indian Films in the Contenders' List

Indian Films Competing at the Oscars 2025

Aadujeevitham (IMDb Rating: 7.1/10)

Director: Blessy
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Amala Paul

‘Aadujeevitham’ is a survival drama based on the best-selling novel by Benyamin. It tells the story of a Malayali immigrant who is enslaved on a goat farm in Saudi Arabia. The film explores the harsh conditions of the protagonist’s life, which is inspired by a true story. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

Kanguva (IMDb Rating: 4.6/10)

• Director: Siva
• Cast: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani

‘Kanguva’ is a Tamil fantasy drama that follows the journey of a fearless tribal warrior who lived over a thousand years ago. In modern times, the character becomes a bounty hunter. The connection between these two timelines forms the crux of the movie, blending mythology and action. The film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

All We Imagine As Light (IMDb Rating: 7.3/10)

• Director: Payal Kapadia
• Cast: Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha

This Malayalam film explores the lives of two nurses who live together in Mumbai. One of them is estranged from her husband, who resides in Germany, while the other has a secret romance. The film’s delicate portrayal of relationships and longing is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

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Girls Will Be Girls (IMDb Rating: 7.1/10)

• Director: Shuchi Talati
• Cast: Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi

This film delves into the life of a teenage girl named Mira, who embarks on a romantic journey while struggling with her sexual awakening and a strained relationship with her protective mother. ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Putul

• Director: Indira Dhar

‘Putul’ has made history as the first Bengali film to be considered for nomination in the prestigious Best Picture category at the 2025 Oscars. Directed and produced by Indira Dhar, the film tells a powerful story that has captivated the hearts of many.

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (IMDb Rating: 7.7/10)

• Director: Randeep Hooda
• Cast: Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande

This biographical film sheds light on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, from his childhood to his key historical moments. ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’ offers an in-depth look at the life of this prominent freedom fighter. The film is available for streaming on Zee5.

Santhosh (IMDb Rating: 7.1/10)

• Director: Sandhya Suri
• Cast: Sahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar

Set in rural North India, ‘Santhosh’ is a crime drama that follows a widow who inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable. The film explores themes of gender and power dynamics within law enforcement. It is currently available on MUBI.

Seven Indian films making it to the Oscars 2025 contenders' list is a significant achievement for Indian cinema. With such a diverse set of films—from survival dramas to biographical epics—India’s presence at the Academy Awards is strong this year. The final nominations will be announced in the coming months, and the competition for the Best Picture award is expected to be fierce.

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