Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Shwaas Was Marathi Cinema’s First Oscar Submission in 2004
Shwaas was a Marathi-language movie chosen to represent India at the Oscars in 2004.
It tells the story of a grandfather and his grandson, Parshuram.
They travel from a village in Maharashtra to a hospital in Pune.
Doctors discover that Parshuram has retinoblastoma, a rare cancer affecting the retina.
The grandfather finds it difficult to understand and accept the boy’s illness.
He mainly wants to show the city to his grandson before the boy loses his eyesight.
The movie focuses on their close and emotional relationship.
Shwaas won India’s National Film Award for Best Feature Film, but it was not included on the Oscars’ final shortlist.
Shwaas became the first Marathi-language film selected as India’s official Oscar submission in 2004.
The film follows grandfather and grandson Parshuram traveling from a Maharashtra village to a Pune hospital.
Parshuram is diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the retina.
The story explores the grandfather’s struggle with the child’s illness and their emotional relationship.
Shwaas won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film but did not reach the final Oscar shortlist.
- Who
- Shwaas, its grandfather protagonist, and his grandson Parshuram.
- What
- Shwaas became the first Marathi-language film selected as India’s official Oscar submission.
- When
- 2004.
- Where
- The story travels from a village in Maharashtra to a hospital in Pune.
- Why
- It was selected after receiving acclaim, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
- Film
- Shwaas
- Language
- Marathi
- Oscar submission year
- 2004
- Medical condition
- Retinoblastoma
- Primary locations
- Maharashtra and Pune
- Major award
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film
- Oscar outcome
- Did not reach the final shortlist of official nominees