India has decided not to change the country's entry for the Oscars, despite controversy surrounding the film's selection.
The Film Federation of India Thursday announced its decision to let the movie Eklavya: The Royal Guard remain as India's official entry in the best foreign film category.
The controversy began when the director of a movie that was not chosen alleged bias and filed a lawsuit against the selection jury. Director Bhavna Talwar claims Eklavya was selected as India's official Oscar entry because some members of the jury are close to the film's director. Her own film, Dharm, was passed over in the selection process.
Talwar Thursday withdrew her legal challenge in a Mumbai court.
In an interview with British radio, BBC, the head of the Film Federation of India admitted irregularities in the selection process.
Eklavya stars Bollywood superstar Amithabh Bachchan and is directed by Indian filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
Even though India has largest film industry in the world, none of its movies has ever won an Oscar in the best foreign film category
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
