India's official Oscars entry: Things to know about Rajkummar Rao's Newton

Rajkummar Rao seems to be back on the big screen with a bang! Newton, where he plays the protagonist is India’s official entry to the Oscars 2018 in the Best Foreign Film language category. This political satire, set against the background of elections, released on Friday, and it has been receiving oodles of appreciation all over. It's not just the audience but also the critics who are singing praises of the movie. 
 

Delighted, actor Rajkummar Rao took to Twitter to announce the news. Here’s what he posted:

Very happy to share this news that #NEWTON is India's official entry to the #OSCARS this year. Congratulations team.

— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) September 22, 2017

Directed by Amit Masurkar, Newton was chosen from among 26 titles from different languages by a 14-member jury appointed by the Film Federation of India (FFI).

The background
 

‘Newton’ is a dark comedy produced by Manish Mundra of Drishyam Films, best known for backing critically acclaimed projects like ‘Masaan’ and ‘Umrika’. The movie is a political lampoon starring Pankaj Tripathi, Raghubir Yadav and Anjali Patil, besides Rao. It builds conversations on the many 'defects' in India's political and electoral system. 
 

Also read: Rajkummar Rao-starrer Newton is India's official entry to Oscars 2018

The plot 
 

The movie revolves around a novice government clerk sent on election duty to a Maoist-controlled town and how an ideological confusion puts him in a spot. There are guerrilla attacks and security forces are droopy. Despite these, the protagonist tries his best to conduct free and rational voting.

Box office collections
 

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted the Saturday box-office collection figures:
 

#Newton shows REMARKABLE 162.5% GROWTH on Sat... Fri 96 lakhs, Sat 2.52 cr. Total:  3.48 cr. India biz.

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) September 24, 2017

India’s journey at the Oscars so far
 

So far, "Mother India", "Salaam Bombay!" and "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India" are the only Indian films that made it to the top five in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars, but none won the award. So, hopes are high on ‘Newton’, Masurkar's second directorial venture after the 2014 indie "Sulemani Keeda". The 90th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 4, 2018, in Los Angeles.

Appreciations on social media

As soon as the news of Rao's 'Newton' being India's official entry to the Oscars 2018 spread, social media was flooded with congratulatory messages. Bollywood stars like Amiatbh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar Alia Bhatt, among others, sent their wishes through the microblogging site Twitter.

T 2554 - Saw the film 'NEWTON' .. its stark reality was a treat to watch ! An eye opener .. on many aspects .. !! pic.twitter.com/zyeuDUPxiz

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 21, 2017

And then there is this gem called #Newton. Pure, timely, honest, humorous, wistful and sharp.  @RajkummarRao @ManMundra @Amitmasurkar

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 21, 2017

Making films is not a race with a finish line but just a never ending search for your 'self'. Thank you #Newton for reminding me of this.

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 21, 2017

#Newton is a gem. @RajkummarRao is special, @TripathiiPankaj is adorable. @Amitmasurkar is a genius. & lot of respect for @aanandlrai sir

— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) September 21, 2017

Huge congrats to my favourite actor @RajkummarRao for Newton n hope you win the Oscar ! Good luck .

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) September 22, 2017

Congratulations @RajkummarRao & the whole team of #Newton !! This is such great news! All the best! https://t.co/dxAJKyvAg1

— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 22, 2017

Congratulations @RajkummarRao @aanandlrai and team #NEWTON!!!! Can't wait to see the film even more now.. big big hug!

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) September 22, 2017

#Newton as India's official entry to the Oscars!Congratulations @aanandlrai @RajkummarRao & team,can imagine the joy you'll must be feeling

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 22, 2017

Huge Congratulations Raj!!! https://t.co/3QLMVlF8fn

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 22, 2017

WOW!! This is amazing @RajkummarRao
Kudos to the entire team of #Newton! https://t.co/QfVWxPT8DI

— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) September 23, 2017

Audiences also could not keep their calm and swamped Twitter with posts. Take a look:

Watched #Newton
It is No doubt best Cinema of 2017@RajkummarRao is unmatchable@TripathiiPankaj is brilliant
Nd Hats off @aanandlrai
4.5/5* pic.twitter.com/ChsAn8Lugn

— Sandy Rajput (@Kamalkdaiya66) September 22, 2017

Hard Working Heroes Like Rajkummar Rao Give #Oscars Quality Movies Like #Newton.

Nepotism Gives You #Judwaa2 pic.twitter.com/eXwJyPRROE

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 22, 2017

Hard Working Heroes Like Rajkummar Rao Give #Oscars Quality Movies Like #Newton.

Nepotism Gives You #Judwaa2  pic.twitter.com/eXwJyPRROE

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 22, 2017

#Newton is #India's official selection for the #Oscars Best Foreign Film category. Congrats @RajkummarRao  pic.twitter.com/sAZES2su9Q

— Surendhar MK (@SurendharMK) September 22, 2017

Just realised, #Newton is the seventh film of Raghubir Yadav to be selected for the Oscars. :)

— Abhisek Suman (@abhisek_s) September 22, 2017

This is great news. #Newton India's entry to #Oscars . Our reaction to it right now. @RajkummarRao pic.twitter.com/n0nxerVBEA

— Krushant Shah (@krushant) September 22, 2017

Newton is the kind of film we should be making more and more of. So many things said so simply. #newton

— Shubha Shetty (@shubhaS) September 18, 2017

Loved #Newton by #AmitMasurkar. So layered and so funny And what a delight to watch the most brilliant actor of our times @RajkummarRao

— Alankrita (@alankrita601) September 22, 2017