Tamil film Visaranai enters the Oscar race

National Award-winning Tamil film Visaranai is India's official entry in the Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars 2017.

"Visaranai was selected out of the 29 films that were in the race," Film Federation of India secretary general Supran Sen told PTI.

The crime-thriller, produced by actor-filmmaker Dhanush, is written and directed by Vetrimaaran. It is based on the novel Lock Up by M Chandrakumar.

Featuring Dinesh Ravi, Anandhi and Aadukalam Murugadoss, the film deals with police brutality, corruption, and loss of innocence in the face of injustice.

'Visaaranai #Anbum #amaithiyum malarathum ('Let love and peace bloom'),' Dinesh tweeted in Tamil.

The movie won three honours -- Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Supporting Actor for Samuthirakani and Best Editing for Kishore Te -- at the 63rd National Film Awards.

The film premiered in the Orrizonti (Horizons) section of the 72nd Venice Film Festival, where it won the Amnesty International Italia Award.