'Makan Abu', directed by debutant filmmaker, Salim Ahmed, is about an old man's struggle to go to Hajj. The film did well in Indian award circuits by winning four trophies at the national awards and Special Jury Award at IFFI.

Out of the sixty-three films, which had originally qualified in the category, nine films have been selected. They will move to the next round of voting to determine the best five, to be announced on January 24, a release on the Oscar website said.

The films from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Israel, Morocco, Poland and Taiwan have qualified in the best foreign film category.

The last Indian film among the final five nominees at the Oscars was Ashutosh Gowariker's 2002 film 'Lagaan'. 'Mother India' and 'Salaam Bombay' are the only other Indian films who made it to the top five.