'I am confident Lagaan will make it to the finals'

Far from giving him the jitters, the run up for the Academy Awards saw a confident Aamir Khan seeing his maiden production venture Lagaan making it to the final five to be eventually shortlisted for the Oscars.

"From the information of my publicist, the academy members have liked the film and Lagaan features in the eight films selected in the foreign film category," said a beaming Aamir, at a press meet in Mumbai on February 8.

After being officially screened on January 27 at Los Angeles, Lagaan has apparently made it to the chosen eight in the category.

"The reaction to my film was good, and I am confident it will make it to the final nominations," said Aamir.

He, however, added modestly, "For me, more than getting a nomination or an award, what is important is that the film was viewed by an international audience as a film from India."

When asked about the French film Amelie, a hot contender for winning an Oscar in the foreign film category, Aamir said he has seen the film and liked it a lot.

"But when eight films have been shortlisted, you cannot judge which film is good and which one is bad. The final decision will be taken by the jury," he added.

Aamir was here to release a comic book on his magnum opus brought out by Egmont Imagination India Limited.

UNI