12 January,2026 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vivek Oberoi and Kantara Chapter 1
Actor Vivek Oberoi recently praised Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 after it qualified for the Best Picture race at the 98th Academy Awards. However, the actor faced backlash online for mistakenly referring to the film as a Telugu-language movie instead of Kannada.
On Saturday, Oberoi took to X and reposted Hombale Films' announcement about Kantara: Chapter 1 entering the Oscars race. He wrote, "What was once a sacred ritual, guarded by the ancient spirits of Tulunad, has now erupted into a global inferno. Bhuta Kola has transcended borders, shattering the silence to become a worldwide phenomenon. Massive congratulations, my brother shetty_rishab, on qualifying for the Best Picture race at the 98th Academy Awards! This isn't just a nomination; it is the roar of our ancestors echoing on the world's most prestigious stage. You have carried the raw, beating heart of Bharat into the global spotlight. The soil of our land now claims its place in cinematic history."
He ended the post with a Telugu line: "Oscars ni intiki teeskostunnam!"
Netizens were quick to slam the actor for using a Telugu phrase instead of Kannada. One user commented, "Intiki teeskostunnam is a Telugu word. âEe saala Oscar nammade' is Kannada." Another angry user wrote, "It's a Kannada movie! You talk about Bharat but don't know half of it. Your negligence is infuriating."
A third user added, "Since it's a Kannada movie, you could have ended your post in Kannada instead of using a Telugu word."
Several users also pointed out that a simple Google search could have avoided the confusion, criticising the tendency to generalise South Indian languages.
Two Indian films - Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 and Anupam Kher's Tanvi: The Great - have joined the list of 201 feature films eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the list, according to Variety.
As per Academy rules, the films met additional eligibility requirements, including theatrical runs and the submission of a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form. They were also required to meet at least two of the four Academy inclusion standards and complete a qualifying theatrical run in 10 of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025.
Having fulfilled all requirements, both films have emerged as potential contenders on the global stage. Earlier, in November 2025, the Academy had announced eligible films for Best Documentary, Animated Feature, and International Feature Film. The official Oscar nominations will be revealed on January 22, 2026.
