"Visaranai" has been selected by India to represent the country at this year's Academy Awards. Directed by Vetrimaran, the film highlights the atrocities committed by the police in India.

"Visaranai" made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival last year where it won the Silver Lotus Award before making its theatrical debut in India in February. It later played at the Istanbul Film Festival to favorable reviews. The movie also won three national awards including best Film and Best Supporting Actor. "Visaranai" was selected from a pool of 29 films submitted for the Oscars.

Vetrimaran is representing India for the first time. The director is one of the most acclaimed in India as he has directed two other films and has won numerous awards nationally.

India has a vast history with the Academy as it has submitted films since 1957. The country has been nominated three times including once in 1957 for its first submission "Mother India" and the last time in 2001 for the film "Lagaan." Since then the country has not been able to even make the January shortlist.

Last year India submitted the critically acclaimed drama "Court," which made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Every year a number of countries submit films to compete in the Foreign Language Film category. This year is shaping up to be a very competitive year with Denmark submitting "Land of Mine," Germany submitting the festival favorite "Toni Erdmann" and Spain submitting Pedro Almodovar's 20th film "Julieta." Other film that will likely be huge contenders include "House of Others," "Sieranevada," "The Ardennes," "Chevalier," "Mother., ""El Clasico," "From Afar" and "Neruda."

Last year the category went to Hungary for the harrowing Holocaust thriller "Son of Saul." The film made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival before going onto make an impact in the festival circuit.

The Foreign Language Film deadline to submit is Oct. 3. On Jan. 17 the Academy will announce the nine finalists from among the eligible films and on Jan. 24 nominations will be announced. The winner will be announced at the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 26.

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