'Salt Bridge', Malayalam movie 'Jalam' vie for Oscar

Multiple songs from Malayalam movie "Jalam" and Indo-Australian project "Salt Bridge" are among the 74 songs contending for nominations in the Best Original Song category at the 88th Academy Awards.

"Jalam", starring Priyanka Nair in the lead role, is about a widowed mother struggling to raise her child in the city alone.

"Bhoomiyilenghanumundo", "Koodu Vaykkan", "Yaathra Manoradhamerum" and "Pakalppaathi Chaari" are the four songs from the movie that will be vying for a nomination in the category.

Seven songs from Rajeev Khandelwal-Usha Jadhav's "Salt Bridge" have made it to the long list. The songs -- all in Hindi -- are "Aankhon Me Samaye Dil", "Bachpana Thaa", "Kanpne Lage Tum", "Kyaa Bataaun Tujhe", "Le Jaaye Jo Door Tumse", "Na Jaane Kitni Door" and "Sookha Hi Rang Daalo".

"Ya Rahem, Maula Maula" from Pakistani film "Dukhtar" is also on the list.

The strong contenders in this category include The Weeknd's "Earned It" and Ellie Goulding's "Love Me Like You Do" from erotic movie "Fifty Shades of Grey"; "See You Again" from "Furious Seven"; "Writing's On The Wall" from "Spectre" and "Simple Song #3" from "Youth".

The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 14, 2016 and the ceremony is set to be held on February 28.