Having already achieved the status of the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever made, Jude Anthany Joseph's "2018: Everyone is a Hero" is now set to make waves on the international stage. The film has been chosen as India's official entry for the 2024 Oscars, marking the fourth time a Malayalam movie has received this prestigious honor. 

Set against the devastating backdrop of the 2018 Kerala floods, the movie pays tribute to the resilience and unity of the people who faced this calamity head-on. It stands out as a survival film, empathetically portraying the trauma and challenges faced by the affected people who fight it out with courage and unity.

Director Jude Anthany Joseph emphasizes the importance of emotional resonance in storytelling. He believes that the film's true essence lies in its ability to evoke genuine emotions and deeply connect with the audience.

One of the film's strengths lies in its minimal use of visual effects (VFX) and instead focusing on the creation of sets and props, including those needed for the flood scenes. Majority of the flood scenes were filmed on sets specially constructed on a sprawling 22-acre location near Kottayam. A two-acre reservoir was also meticulously crafted on-site, serving as the backdrop for shooting the underwater sequences.

The selection for the Oscars adds to the film’s recognition, following actor Tovino Thomas's recent honor as Best Asian Actor at the Septimius Awards 2023 for his remarkable performance in the movie.

The dedicated ensemble cast skillfully conveyed the emotions of millions of Malayalis, adding to the film’s impactful narrative. As "2018: Everyone is a Hero" heads to the Oscars, it carries with it the hopes and pride of an entire nation and an industry that continues to gain recognition on the global stage.