Mira Nair to push Tabu's name for Oscars?

Mumbai, New York-based Indian filmmaker Mira Nair likely to push Tabu's name for an Oscar nomination this year. The talented actress played the central role in her film "The Namesake". "She is definitely going to project Tabu as a potential best actress at the Oscars. Though Irrfan Khan is as good, if not better, the focus of Nair's Oscar campaign for her masterly study of the Indian diaspora is likely to be predominantly Tabu," said a source close to the project. "Irrfan is excellent. But he lacks what the Americans are looking for in their Oscars recipe. Tabu is exotic, glamorous and mysterious. This is her first real exposure to the Western audience. And they're lapping up her Bengali act, thick accent and all. On top of that she's also wowing the westerners with her performance in 'Cheeni Kum'," added the source.Will Tabu be the first Indian actor to win an Oscar? "Why not?" says Mira's creative compatriot Deepa Mehta. "She's amazingly good, on a par with any of her Western counterparts," said Mehta who six years ago offered Tabu the lead in "Water". The deal fell apart. A lot of global cineastes are positive about Tabu's chances. However, Tabu herself remains supremely indifferent to recognition at home or abroad.