MUMBAI: After Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Jallikattu was selected as India's official entry to the 93rd Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category, another worthy contender has been picked for the Oscars’ short film category – Shameless. Writer-director Keith Gomes’s 15-minute film is a black comedy thriller starring Sayani Gupta, which beat short films including Vidya Balan's Natkhat in the Oscars entry race. 

Co-starring Hussain Dalal and Rishabh Kapoor, Shameless revolves around the theme of loss of human spirit due to technology, while it also attempts to raise relevant questions on issues of entitlement, humanity and empathy toward the migrant class.

Gupta who in a statement said, “My experience on Shameless was fantastic and now we are submitting to the Oscars, it's a wow! Keith is wonderful as a director and very gentle with his actors and crew. Hussain, of course is a great friend, and it was a ball working with him. We have a silent communication and understanding when it comes to improvisations etc.”

Dalal recalled, "How clear Keith was with the way he wanted to tell this extremely unique story that communicates the hidden truth in society. We stayed honest to the process, had a blast making it. And then we're here, eligible for the Oscars.”

"I observe human behaviour and love telling stories about the human spirit. This world needs kindness and my films are a reminder to not get lost into technology. I make films with little funding from family and friends, everyone comes together with loads of love and passion. Couldn't be more blessed," said director Gomes.

Released last year, Shameless has been selected from a shortlist of five films. Apart from Natkhat, there were Sound Proof, Safar and Trapped in the running. The film also stars Rishabh Kapoor and is produced by Ashley Gomes and Sandeep Kamal. Resul Pookutty, who won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire, is the sound designer of Shameless.