Kiran Rao’s piquant and evocative film, “Laapataa Ladies,” has been selected as India’s official submission for the 2025 Academy Awards. This prestigious selection was announced by the Film Federation of India (FFI), the nation’s apex body responsible for choosing India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category, in a statement on Monday, September 23.
Laapataa Ladies marks Kiran Rao’s return to the director’s chair, following her critically acclaimed debut with Dhobi Ghat in 2011. The film, which premiered in theatres in March, is a satirical comedy-drama centered on an intriguing narrative of a young man whose bride is accidentally swapped with another woman. The movie stars Sparsh Shrivastava alongside Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan. This unique storyline is based on Biplab Goswami’s award-winning screenplay, Two Brides.
The FFI jury, while announcing their decision, highlighted the compelling portrayal of Indian women in the film. In their citation, they stated, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance. Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) captures this diversity perfectly through its well-defined, powerful characters set in a semi-idyllic world with a tongue-in-cheek tone. It illustrates that women can happily choose to be homemakers while also aspiring to be entrepreneurs. This is a narrative that serves as both a reflection of on-going societal attitudes towards women and a catalyst for change. Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) is a film that can engage, entertain, and resonate not only with Indian women but also universally.” The 13-member committee tasked with selecting the film was chaired by renowned Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua.
The film’s production was a collaborative effort involving Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions, and Kindling Pictures. Laapataa Ladies had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, which garnered it significant international attention.
. Following its theatrical release in India in March, the film is now available for streaming on Netflix, allowing it to reach a broader audience.
Expressing her gratitude for the selection, Rao said in a heartfelt statement, “I am deeply honored and delighted that our film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life. Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India.”
A total of 29 films were considered for this year’s Oscars submission from India, including notable contenders like Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film “All We Imagine as Light” and the acclaimed Malayalam drama “Aattam.” The selection of Laapataa Ladies is seen as a demonstration of the versatility and depth of contemporary Indian cinema.
This selection brings to light the often understated biases and prevailing societal expectations surrounding gender roles, and how films like Laapataa Ladies challenge these norms through satire and drama. The candid exploration of themes related to female agency and aspiration is likely to strike a chord with global audiences, building cultural bridges through storytelling.
India’s track record at the Academy Awards includes several submissions that have garnered international praise, but the nation has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category on only a few occasions. The last nomination came in 2001 with Ashutosh Gowariker’s epic, Lagaan, which also starred Aamir Khan. The inclusion of Laapataa Ladies in this esteemed list renews hopes for another successful bid at the Oscars.
The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place in 2025 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, US, where Laapataa Ladies will compete with other international films for the coveted Oscar. As anticipation builds up to the event, the film’s selection stands as a significant milestone in Kiran Rao’s directorial journey and a testament to the subtle yet profound storytelling that characterizes the best of Indian cinema.
