India has submitted films for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film regularly since 1977, missing out only in 2003. The award is handed out annually by the United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains primarily non-English dialogue. As of 2008, three Indian films have been nominees for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but no Indian film has won the award.

Mother India (1957)

Mother India is a 1957 Bollywood film directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raj Kumar. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1958.This was the first Oscar nomination for a Bollywood movie ever. In 2005, India times Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films. The film ranked 3 in the list of all-time box office hits.The movie was the best given by Nargis and Sunil Dutt. They made it a memorable experience for every Indian and set new standards.

The film was one of the first great epics of Indian cinema and a profound influence in Bollywood and beyond.

Salaam Bombay (1988)

The best portrait of India till today, this movie is the best creation of Mira Nair so far and makes it way into your hearts easily. A very beautiful story told in a very delicate manner. The film chronicles the day-to-day life of children living on the streets of Mumbai .

The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Sooni Taraporevala written the screen for the film. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, the National Board of Review Award for Top Foreign Film, the Golden Camera and Audience Awards at the Cannes Film Festival, and three awards at the Montréal World Film Festival.

Lagaan (2001)

Lagaan became the third Hindi language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film . The film, based on an original story by Ashutosh Gowarikar, was also directed by him. It starred Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh in the lead pair with Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne and A. K. Hangal in supporting roles.
The movie is set in the Victorian period of the British Raj, and revolves around the peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high taxes imposed by the British. When the peasants attempt to persuade the officers to reduce the taxes, the officers put forth a proposition to the peasants. One senior officer offers them to cancel their taxes for three years if their village team beats them at cricket. After accepting this proposition, the villagers face the arduous task of learning the game and playing for a result that will change their village’s destiny.