Rahul Deshpande on Me Vasantrao making it to the Oscars’ longlist

• The Marathi movie Me Vasantrao has accomplished a crowning feat.
• By being included on the Oscars long list after winning the National Award.
• Rahul Deshpande who performed the title role, is overjoyed by the information.

The Marathi movie Me Vasantrao has accomplished a crowning feat by being included on the Oscars long list after winning the National Award in 2022. The movie was recognised on Tuesday’s lengthy list of 301 features that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences considered Oscar-eligible. Rahul Deshpande, a singer-actor who performed the title role, is overjoyed by the information. “You know it feels really good because, firstly, this is not just a film for me, it’s a tribute to my grandfather. I don’t know any other actor or singer (in current times) who has played his grandfather or sung his songs. I’m so thankful that Oscar has taken note and found this eligible,” Deshpande shares.

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Me Vasantrao (2022) made the list, but it doesn’t mean it will be included in the final list of nominees for the Awards, which will be revealed on January 24. When asked about his next strategy, Deshpande responds, “I do not know, because I don’t know the procedure. I just got to know a little while ago that we’ve been found eligible for this. To be very honest, I don’t know what the next steps are. So, I’m trying to find it out on my own, how we should take it ahead and whether we should show it to any people or the jury members, I don’t know what the process is.”

The singer-actor is still celebrating the win. “It’s a big deal for Marathi cinema. A long time ago Shwaas was sent as the official entry by our government. After that, I have not heard of any Marathi film that is eligible for an Oscar. So I think it’s a rare occasion and I’m very glad that it’s being noted on the global level,” Deshpande gushes.

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While he did garner high praise for his acting abilities from both critics and the general public. However, the 43-year-old from Pune is not overly aspirational about his performing career. “I did this because I was very passionate about this and I really wanted my grandfather’s story to come out who was a singer and a family man. Having said that this is not my profession, I’m a classical vocalist, that is what I do and that is what I intend to do. But in the meanwhile, if something interesting comes my way I will not look the other way. I love to act and it’s not as if I do not like the medium. But it’s not high on my priority list. Singing will always be first,” he concludes.