The upcoming multi-lingual project Veeram, helmed by Malayalam director Jayaraj, has entered the race for the Oscars 2017.
According to the Facebook post of Jayaraj, the song "We will rise," composed by Jeff Rona from the English version of Veeram, is said to be competing for Best Original Songs 2017 for the 89th Academy Awards among the 90 songs selected under the category. "Humbled by the Happy News. Dedicating the same for all who are with VEERAM [sic]," the director announced on his social media page. The final five nominations for the category will be announced on January 24.
The big-budget epic historical drama, said to be made on a whopping Rs 35 crore, is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's popular play, Macbeth, and is one of the most anticipated Indian movies that tells the story of Chandu Chekavar, who lived during the 13th century in North Malabar in Kerala. It is also the fifth installment in Jayaraj's Navarasa series.
Veeram, which stars Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor and debutant Divinaa Thackur in the main roles, has been simultaneously made in Malayalam, Hindi and English with the same title. In an earlier interview with International Business Times India, Divinaa, who plays as Kuttimani in Veeram, had talked a lot on the Jayaraj directorial. Read the excerpt of the interview here.
Meanwhile, the mega Oscars event, which will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on February 26, 2017.
