New Delhi - A moving film about the struggles of an 8-year-old boy with learning disabilities was selected as India's entry for the best foreign film category for the 2009 Academy Awards, news reports said Sunday.

Taare Zameen Par, meaning Stars on Earth, is Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's debut directorial film. It was released in 2007 and has received critical and box office acclaim.

Khan, who directed and produced the film, said it earned 28 million dollars at the box office worldwide, IANS news agency reported.

It is Khan's second bid for the Oscars. The film Lagaan, which he produced, reached the final nomination list in the foreign film category in 2002.

Members of the Film Federation of India jury met Saturday and praised all nine nominated films.

"But Taare Zameen Par has it all. It has been made so perfectly. There is perfect direction, screenplay, acting, script," juror and filmmaker Mahesh Kothare was quoted as saying. "There is no reason why it should not bring India an Oscar."

The film stars Darsheel Safary as a dyslexic boy and Khan as the teacher who helps the child come to terms with his predicament and to excel in a system that brands him a failure.

The Indian film industry churns out hundreds of films every year but has yet to win an Academy Award. (dpa)