TIMELINE: Historic first as Indian film industry wins two Oscars in single year

Apr 18, 2023 | Arts, Culture

The Indian film industry, for the first time in history, won two Academy Awards in a single year in 2023.

Not only was this the industry’s first-ever double win in a year, it was also the first time it received three nominations at the Oscars.

The Elephant Whisperers from 2022, directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, became the first Indian documentary film to win an Oscar.

Producer Guneet Monga took to Instagram to share the win.

“Tonight is historic as this is the first-ever Oscar for an Indian production,” she said. “India’s Glory with 2 women.”

The second Indian film to win at the 95th Academy Awards was the song Naatu Naatu from SS Rajamouli’s RRR. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

According to a study by Statista, as of 2022, Indian film is the leading film market in the world, with a revenue of over US$981 million.

But it still has little recognition in the West.

Here is a look at the evolution of Indian representation in the film industry since the 1920s.