"12 Years a Slave", director Steve McQueen's acclaimed movie about slavery in the pre-Civil War USA, will be releasing in India on Jan. 31. The movie is being released by PVR Pictures.

"'12 Years a Slave' is meaningful cinema and acting prowess at its best," Kamal Gianchandani, president of PVR Pictures, told Press Trust of India. "The movie handles sensitive subjects of slavery and racial discrimination beautifully winning accolades at across film festivals and award ceremonies. We are proud to bring the movie for our Indian audiences who are certain to appreciate good cinema."

The movie starring Brad Pitt, Chiwetel Ejifor, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and Michael Fassbender has been receiving rave reviews from critics and has already won a number of awards. On Thursday, "12 Years A Slave" took home top honors for best picture, best supporting actress and best adapted screenplay at the  Critics' Choice Awards.

The movie has also secured nine Academy Award nominations.

"I am exhilarated, ecstatic," director McQueen told Entertainment Weekly after the nominations were announced. "Getting all those nominations, I'm so very happy."

The movie, an adaptation of Solomon Northup's memoir of the same name, talks about the life of a free black who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Even though the story is set in 1851, McQueen said in an interview with EW that the topic is relevant even today.

"Everyone is talking about the past, present, and future. It's become much more social and much more passionate in a way. We made a film that was based in 1851, but it's actually talking about what's happening today, so it's been immensely stimulating," the British director said.