Kiran Rao’s piquant Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official submission to Oscars 2025. The announcement was made by the jury of the Film Federation of India (FFI), the apex body that annually selects the Indian official entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, on Monday, September 23.
Released in theatres in March, Laapataa Ladies is Rao’s sophomore directorial after the acclaimed Dhobi Ghat (2011). The satirical comedy-drama tells the story of a young man whose bride gets accidentally swapped with someone else’s. The film stars Sparsh Shrivastava along with Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam and Ravi Kishan. It is based on Biplab Goswami’s prize-winning screenplay, Two Brides.
In its citation, the FFI jury said, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance. Well-defined, powerful characters in one world, Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) captures this diversity perfectly, though in a semi-idyllic world and in a tongue-and-cheek way. It shows you that women can happily desire to be home makers as well as rebel and be entrepreneurially inclined. A story that can simultaneously be seen as one that needs change, and one that can bring about change. Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) is a film that can engage, entertain and make sense not just to women in India but universally as well.” The 13-member committee was chaired by Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua.
Produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Pictures, Laapataa Ladies had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. It released in Indian theatres in March this year and is currently streaming on Netflix.
“I am deeply honored and delighted that our film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards,” Rao said in a statement. “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.”
This year, a total of 29 films, including Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning All We Imagine as Light and the acclaimed Malayalam drama Aattam, were in the running for Oscars selection
India was last nominated for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards for Lagaan (2001). The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled for 2025 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, US.