- Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies was chosen as India’s official entry for Oscars 2025
- The film competed against 28 Indian movies from different languages
- 11 Hindi films, six Tamil films and four Malayalam films were in the race
Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Film Federation of India (FFI) made the announcement on Monday, following a competitive selection process involving 29 films across several Indian languages.
The Selection Process
The competition for India’s official Oscar entry was fierce, with 29 films from various languages in contention. These included 12 Hindi films, six Tamil films, four Malayalam films, three Marathi films, and one Odia film. Some of the most anticipated films in the running were Animal starring Ranbir Kapoor, the much-talked-about Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas, and Thangalaan featuring Chiyaan Vikram.
In the final round of consideration, five films were shortlisted: Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, Pa Ranjith’s Thangalaan, Mari Selvaraj’s Vaazhai, Christo Tomy’s Ullozhukku, and Tushar Hiranandani’s Srikanth. Ultimately, Laapataa Ladies was chosen as India’s contender for the prestigious Best International Feature category at the Oscars.
The selection was made by a 13-member committee led by renowned Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua, which unanimously voted for the film. The decision marked an important moment for Rao, whose film had already garnered international attention after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Laapataa Ladies: A Light Satire on Patriarchy
Set in rural India, Laapataa Ladies is a humorous yet insightful exploration of patriarchy. The film follows two young brides, Jaya (Pratibha Ranta) and Phool (Nitanshi Goel), whose faces are hidden behind identical red wedding veils. On their journey to their respective marriages, the two women get accidentally swapped on a train, leading them to entirely different destinies. This comedic mix-up serves as the foundation for a deeper commentary on gender roles and societal expectations.
Produced by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, the film’s unique narrative has resonated with audiences, both in India and abroad. The film’s international distribution rights were picked up by Yash Raj Films, and it later made its way to Netflix India after a successful theatrical release.
Kiran Rao’s Reaction and Oscar Hopes
In recent interviews, Kiran Rao expressed her hopes for Laapataa Ladies being chosen for the Oscars. “My dream would be fulfilled if Laapataa Ladies was selected. But it’s a process, and I’m sure the best film will go,” she shared before the announcement. Despite her excitement, Rao emphasized that her primary recognition comes from the audience’s response at the box office. “If the viewers and the nation appreciate our work, that would be the greatest accolade for us,” she said.
Although Laapataa Ladies was a crowd favorite at festivals, its path to the Oscars wasn’t guaranteed. One of its main competitors was Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, a frontrunner that had won the Grand Jury prize at Cannes and was initially tipped for the Oscar spot. However, Rao’s film proved to be a crowd-pleaser, and its universal appeal ultimately secured its place as India’s entry.
India’s Struggles at the Oscars
Despite India’s rich cinematic history, success at the Oscars has been elusive. Only three Indian films have been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category: Mehboob Khan’s Mother India in 1957, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! in 1988, and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan in 2001. S.S. Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR did not secure a nomination for Best International Feature in 2023, but it made history by winning the Oscar for Best Original Song with “Naatu Naatu.”
The selection of Laapataa Ladies for Oscars 2025 presents an opportunity for India to once again compete on the global stage. Given the Academy’s recent focus on films with unique cultural narratives, Laapataa Ladies, with its humor and social commentary, has the potential to resonate with international audiences and Oscar voters alike.
The Road to the Oscars
With the 96th Academy Awards slated for March 2, 2025, the journey for Laapataa Ladies is just beginning. The deadline for submissions is November 14, 2024, and the shortlist for Best International Feature contenders will be announced on December 17. From there, nominations will be revealed on January 17, 2025, with the final award ceremony taking place in March.
The global film community will be watching closely to see how Laapataa Ladies fares on its road to the Oscars. For Kiran Rao and her team, the film’s selection is already a significant achievement, one that not only highlights their creative efforts but also sheds light on the important social issues the film explores.
As India eagerly anticipates the 2025 Academy Awards, there is hope that Laapataa Ladies could bring home a historic win, adding a new chapter to the country’s cinematic legacy.
(With inputs from agencies)
