Prakash Jha on Highway Nights getting shortlisted for Academy

• Prakash Jha was selected for Academy Awards for short film Highway Nights.
• “I am not aware of their criteria. I am myself surprised,” He said.
• “It’ll be nice if our short film gets the recognition it deserves,” says Jha.

When the short film Highway Nights, which includes director Prakash Jha, was selected for the Academy Awards, it came as a welcome surprise. “I am not aware of their criteria. I am myself surprised.” When asked if he believes socially significant films have a higher chance of being selected or receiving a nomination, Jha shouts.

“It’ll be nice if our short film gets the recognition it deserves,” says Jha, adding, “The story conceptualised by director Shubham Singh was amazing. He carried it so well. The only reason I agreed to do the film was because of the well-written script. I followed the director’s vision, and I am glad the film got shortlisted for the Academy Awards consideration.”

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The jury voting will shortly start, Jha announced in a large Instagram post. The plot of Highway Nights centres on how an elderly truck driver, played by Jha, and a young sex worker, played by Mazel Vyas, develop an unlikely friendship. The film has previously travelled to a few film festivals.

Highway Nights director Singh explains why he chose the 70-year-old director for the part. “There is no comparison when it comes to Prakash sir, as he is a veteran in filmmaking. I loved his raw character that he played in Saand Ki Aankh (2019) and it was that role that made me approach the director. He immediately agreed to it after listening the narration,” he shares.

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Singh argues that the need for Indian films to be recognised internationally is due to the fact that it inspires an increasing number of filmmakers in India. “Indian films getting recognition overseas will eventually encourage more Indian filmmakers to come forward to tell their unseen and unheard stories. I just hope Highway Nights makes it to the Academy nods, and the jury likes the content we have produced,” he ends.