Jayaraj Nair’s Veeram, a re-telling of Macbeth, has joined the Oscars race with a nomination in the Original Song category. The film’s song “We Will Rise” made it to the list of 91 songs competing for the coveted Academy Awards. The list includes AR Rahman’s “Ginga” from Pele: Birth Of A Legend.
Director Jayaraj Nair told media that it was the first time that an Indian song from an Indian film had made it to the Oscars.
The film’s lead, Kunal Kapoor posted on Twitter to express his joy:
“So happy to share this. The first time an Indian film has made it to the long list for best song :).”
So happy to share this. The first time an Indian film has made it to the long list for best song 🙂 #Veeram #oscars https://t.co/fie6tZmSbb
— kunal kapoor (@kapoorkkunal) December 16, 2016
“We Will Rise” is composed by Hollywood musician Jeff Rona. Rona co-wrote the song with Kari Kimmel, and said that he was surprised at the nomination.
“I surprisingly have a song on the list, which I co-wrote with the amazing @karikimmel !” Jeff tweeted. “Just being eligible is nice (it’s NOT a nomination!), but it’s a big thing in India!”
I surprisingly have a song on the list which I co-wrote with the amazing @karikimmel ! https://t.co/9QaXEL76JG
— jeffrona (@jeffrona) December 14, 2016
Just being eligible is nice (it’s NOT a nomination!), but it’s a big thing in India! https://t.co/s4KqB0O5xN
— jeffrona (@jeffrona) December 16, 2016
Veeram is gearing up to be the Malayalam film industry’s Baahubali. Made at a reported Rs 35 crore, the film is a trilingual and is scheduled to release in early 2017.
