Vidhu Vinod Chopra, a prominent figure in Indian cinema known for his contributions to top films, recently shared a captivating story about a time when he faced financial challenges while being nominated for the Oscars.
In an interview with Lallantop, the director recounted an incident from 1979 when his short film was nominated for the Oscars, but he lacked the funds, passport, and visa required to attend the prestigious event. Notably, it was the former Information and Broadcast Minister, LK Advani, who came to his rescue.
Chopra excitedly informed his father about the Oscar nomination, but his father couldn’t grasp his enthusiasm since there was no monetary gain involved. Nevertheless, Vidhu Vinod Chopra remained determined.
Facing the lack of resources to attend the Oscars, he travelled to Delhi to meet LK Advani, who stepped in to help. Advani provided him with an Air India ticket and a daily allowance of $20. Although obtaining a visa seemed challenging, Advani managed to secure a passport for Chopra within a few days, valid for six months, without the usual police verification process.
However, the journey wasn’t without its share of hurdles. When Chopra arrived at the Mumbai office for a US visa on a Saturday, with the Oscars scheduled for the following Monday, he faced initial difficulties with the security guard due to a language barrier.
A helpful and well-dressed American man intervened, inquiring about Chopra’s connection to the Oscars. Upon confirming his nominee status with newspaper clippings, the man invited Chopra inside and granted him a single-entry visa for three months.
Armed with this visa, LK Advani’s ticket, and the support of a kind stranger, Vidhu Vinod Chopra managed to attend the Oscars, despite having limited funds. To top it off, he proudly attended the event in a white kurta-pyjama, representing his national dress.
Chopra’s remarkable journey to the Oscars serves as a testament to his determination, the support he received, and the unpredictability of life’s adventures in the world of cinema.