Shreya Varanasi, Pune
Director Kiran Rao’s 2023 film Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry to Oscars 2025. The Film Federation of India (FFI) jury, which selects India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards each year, announced the news on Monday, September 23.
The critically acclaimed film beat 28 other Indian films to emerge as the final official pick. Among the other Indian films was the Malayalam film All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia. The Malayalam film won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Some of the other films that were in the race are the National Award-winning Malayalam film – Aattam, Prabhas’s Kalki 2898 AD, Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal, and Chiyaan Vikram’s Thangalaan.
Kiran Rao reacted to the news and told the Times of India that she hoped for the nomination but didn’t expect it to actually happen. She further added, “It has been quite overwhelming. This has been such a great year for Indian films and there were so many brilliant films in the mix. It’s a tremendous honour for our entire team”. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan, one of the producers of the film, thanked the audience, media, and the entire film fraternity, for all the love and support they have given Laapata Ladies. He added that he hoped the film wins the Academy Award.
Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, Mari Selvaraj directed Vaazhai, Tushar Hiranandani’s Srikanth starring Rajkummar Rao, Pa Ranjith’s directorial Thangalaan, and Christo Tomy’s Ullozhukku are the final five films nominated for India’s official Oscar submission.
Last year’s entry was Jude Anthany Joseph’s film,2018, which did not make the 96th Academy Awards shortlist. However, India fared better in the 95th edition, with the Naatu Naatu song from SS Rajamouli’s RRR winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, marked Kiran Rao’s directorial comeback following Dhobi Ghat (2010). Prior to its theatrical release, the film was screened at the famous Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023 where it received a standing ovation from the audience.