The Newton team is understandably thrilled. The film, which is India’s official entry to the Oscars, has been granted Rs.1 crore by the government. Leading man Rajkummar Rao maintains that this show of financial support from the government is not common, which makes this unexpected generosity extremely desirable. Admitting that this grant was unexpected but certainly needed, Rajkummar reveals that he has spoken to the relevant official and has been assured of all possible support and cooperation in their journey to the Oscars. Fact is, while he and director Amit Masurkar had no clue as to how to proceed to the Oscars, the government’s funding has helped tee off the process.

The next step for the team is to sit down and work out a plan. Producers Munish Mundra and Aanand Rai are to meet up with industry folk like Aamir Khan and Anil Kapoor, who are experienced in taking Hindi cinema to the Oscars.

…And all this, before the real work begins! Rao admits that copious lobbying will be required to get Newton the attention it deserves. Coming out from shooting the powerful role of Subhash Chandra Bose, he is prepping to take time out to be in the US as part of the promotion plan for the film. He accepts that it would be futile to expect the film to make the cut without their combined and concerted effort and they are prepared to push the film as hard and as best they can.

The mood is heartening especially considering the film had to face the flak of alleged plagiarism. However, Supran Sen, the Secretary-General of the Film Federation of India, which selects films to go to the Oscars, is staunch in his support. He points out that the Iranian film has been around for 16 years, while Newton was also premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February – no similarities had been noticed between the two films. They have full faith in the team, he says, and are clearly standing by the film, in ways that most matter. Money does talk!