Panaji: Director Gyan Correa, whose debut Gujarati film `The Good Road` is India`s official entry to the Oscars this year, feels the criticism about the movie`s selection was rude and people should have been more respectful.
Filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Karan Johar among others were upset after the committee selected the Gujarati film over their production venture `The Lunchbox`, which was being touted as a strong contender.
Correa says he was not much affected by the vocal backlash from several people from the film industry as he felt the committee did make the right decision.
"When the news was announced I did not know how to react. It was such a surprise. I was shocked. It took a long time for me to register. And parellely there was this criticism going on all over. I think it was rude of people to react in that way. I was fine with it as I felt it was a good decision," said Correa on the sidelines of NFDC Film Bazaar.
"The other films were also good but I can only speak for my film. I know there was a lot of criticism but I am happy it was a very small percentage," he added.
`The Good Road` had beaten 22 other films including Bollywood hits `Bhaag Milkha Bhaag` and `English Vinglish` besides `The Lunchbox`, to become India`s representative at the 86th Academy Awards to be held in March 2, 2014.
The movie, which also won the 60th National film award in the Best Gujarati film category, was released in Gujarat on July 19.
New York-based BGP Film has picked up north American rights to Correa`s `The Good Road`.
Correa also said that he is planning to go to the US to make people get acquainted with his first film.
"I have a US publicity representative. I am not sure if I would call it a campaign for the film. We are going to have screenings, Q and A sessions. We will talk about the film with people and try and connect with the audience there," Correa said.
