Vidhu Vinod Chopra gets an Oscar cap

At the launch of Indian Splendor in Mumbai on 6th April, Vidhu Vinod Chopra got a real surprise. He was given a rare Oscar cap by Robert Friedman, the former President (Distribution) of Columbia Pictures and AMC Theaters. Friedman is also a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. Friedman was one of the select few who saw Eklavya – The Royal Guard at the Billy Wilder Theater at UCLA where it was screened on March 24th.

On giving the cap to Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Robert Friedman said, “I could not smuggle out an Oscar for your film Eklavya but I did manage to get you an Oscar cap which is only given to a recipient of an Oscar at the awards night”. Vidhu Vinod Chopra was very touched by his gesture. He said: “It is an honor for me to get the Oscar cap from a senior and respected member of the Academy. It's so wonderful when your work is appreciated to such an extent."

The cap is made available exclusively to the winners of the Oscars and is given to them backstage. The cap has an embroidered Oscar and Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences logo on the front.