Actor Aamir Khan's debut directorial venture 'Taare Zameen Par', a sensitive story of an eight-year-old dyslexic child, was selected as India's entry to the foreign language category for Oscars at the 81st annual Academy awards.

This was announced by filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who headed the film federation of India (FFI) jury to select the film in Mumbai on Saturday.

'Taare Zameen Par' written by Amole Gupte was released in 2007 and has received critical and Box Office acclaim. Aamir had said that the film did business of Rs 131 crore at the Box Office world-wide.

Other films in fray for selection were critically acclaimed Marathi films 'Valu' and 'Tingya', Nishikant Kamat's 'Mumbai Meri Jaan', Neeraj Pandey's 'A Wednesday', Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Jodhaa Akbar', Farhan Akhtar's 'Rock On!', Subhash Ghai's 'Black and White' and Telugu film 'Ghanyam'.

This will be Aamir Khan's second outing at the Oscars. His first home production 'Lagaan' made history in 2001 when it reached the final nomination list of the foreign film category.

The awards ceremony will be held on February 22,2009. Chairman of the jury, Suneel Darshan said the committee members were unanimous in their decision to chose 'Taare Zameen Par' to represent India at the Oscars.

"It was a difficult choice as all the remaining eight films were extremely good. 'Taare Zameen Par' was favoured because of its universal theme," he added.

Darshan said Marathi films 'Valu' and 'Tingya' were highly praised by the committee for their excellent screenplay and treatment.

Marathi filmmakers Mahesh Kothare, Ajay Sarpotdar, art director Bijon Das Gupta, filmmaker Aruna Raje, Ravi Kottarakara from Chennai were other prominent members of the jury, he said.

Meanwhile, actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan has expressed happiness over his directorial debut being selected to represent India at an international forum like the Oscars.

"It is a film that is extremely close to my heart. It first sensitised me as a parent and as a person and then went on to have the same effect on the audiences in India and across the globe," Aamir Khan, who is shooting in Ladakh for Raj Kumar Hirani's '3 Idiots', said.

"I hope that it has an equally strong impact on the members of the Academy as well," Aamir added.