Kuala Lumpur, April 5 :    Kuala Lumpur, April 5:  The normally mild-mannered Ashutosh Gowarikar, director of the Oscar-nominated Lagaan, today launched an uncharacteristically robust attack on Indian commentators who argued there was no need for Indian filmmakers to seek approval of the West by attempting to win American Academy awards. Speaking at the hill resort of Genting, near Kuala Lumpur, where Lagaan is up for several awards, including best picture, director and actor, being given by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), Gowarikar said: 'I detest these statements. I think they are being childish. They are being completely non-progressive. They are taking us back.' Gowarikar, who is proving to be a star draw at this year's IIFA, the third to be held following those in London and Sun City, South Africa, added: 'It's like saying that if an athlete wins the Arjuna Award in India, he should not go for the Olympics. Those people who are passing these statements need to grow up and back anything that goes out from India. If we make a film that is naturally crossing over and people like it crossing boundaries, then if it's growing it should grow.' Rehearsals were being held today at this remote resort for Saturday's show, which will be telecast by Sony Television to an estimated audience of 500 million - half the audience for the Oscars -across the world. Actress Sushmita Sen, dressed in white, dancing to Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend from Moulin Rouge, was asked if she was not in danger of being compared with Nicole Kidman, who performs the number in Moulin Rouge. The former Miss Universe, at her disarming best, shot back: 'That's not such a bad thing, is it?' Amitabh Bachchan, who has always supported the idea of showcasing Indian cinema to an international audience, is taking a leading role at IIFA. He is being supported this year by, among others, Sanjay Dutt, Karan Johar, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutt and Farhan Akhtar. A private jet is said to be bringing over more stars from Mumbai. The premiere of Aankhen, which stars Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Sushmita and Paresh Rawal, was held here today. Its director, Vipul Shah, said: 'People now feel anyone can be nominated for an Oscar.' In the aftermath of Lagaan, filmmakers appear to be much more ambitious. Gowarikar's attitude to awards is markedly different from that of Aamir Khan, who failed to turn up for the IIFA because 'he does not attend Indian awards'. Gowarikar explained: 'I just love awards, not for myself, but the whole process of a select body of people who are professionals in their various fields, selecting the most important films of the year. I think that is a celebration.' Asked about the reception he had received on returning to India from the Oscars in Los Angeles, Gowarikar said: 'It's just been condolence meetings. Every person I meet either don't want to look at me in the eye or if they stumble upon me go 'Dreadfully sorry for what happened.' It's a tremendous sorrow but I really think that yes, we did not win but I am glad we lost to No Man's Land and no other film.' He told Danis Tanovic, the director of No Man's Land: 'One country that you must release your film in is India. It is going to be a huge hit here quite simply because the Indian population would like to see the film that beat Lagaan.' Asked if he would like to work in Hollywood, Gowarikar replied: 'Absolutely. The last trip I was able to finalise one thing: find myself an agent, which is ICM.' On his next film, he was able to reveal: 'I am working on a script, which is getting more and more interesting for me. That is the one I will make next. But I am not closing any doors to the West. I am open to scripts coming in from ICM.' Lagaan would get a theatrical release in America on May 10, while France 'would flag off the European release on June 26'. Gowarikar would have a busy year attending the country by country release of Lagaan. 'The film is being represented at the Brazil film festival on April 18, and the Australian film festival in Sydney on June 10.' Gowarikar predicted that some forthcoming Indian films might be good enough for an Oscar nomination. 'I know a couple of Hindi films which are very interesting. I know of at least two Bengali films - one is about a river - which are damn good. And a couple of Malayalam movies,' he said. 'I am also keenly looking forward to Devdas. I want to use all my experience for the next film that comes out. They should not make the mistakes that we probably have committed. We went in late and missed the Golden Globe. Campaigning is a complete art form on its own.'