The Crossbill News Desk
Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India's official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Film category, the Film Federation of India announced on Monday (September 23), news agency PTI reported.
The satirical Hindi film, which critiques patriarchy with a light-hearted touch, was chosen from a pool of 29 films, including the Bollywood hit Animal, Malayalam National Award winner Aattam, and Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light.
According to PTI, the film was unanimously selected by a 13-member jury headed by Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua. Other notable contenders in the top five included the Hindi film Srikanth, Tamil movies Vaazhai and Thangalaan, and Malayalam film Ullozhukku.
Laapataa Ladies, released in March to widespread critical acclaim, is a heartwarming and empowering story set in rural India in 2001. It follows the lives of two brides who accidentally get swapped during a train journey. Produced by Kiran Rao’s Kindling Productions, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios, the film has resonated with audiences for its nuanced portrayal of gender dynamics in a patriarchal society.
Expressing her joy, Rao said she is "deeply honoured and delighted" that her film will represent India at the 97th Academy Awards.
"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. I would like to express my express heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year - who are equally worthy contenders for this honour,” Rao said in a statement.
After a 13-year hiatus from directing, Rao returned with Laapataa Ladies, her second feature film after 2010’s Dhobi Ghat. The film stars Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav, with performances by Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma. It had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
Other films in contention this year included Tamil film Maharaja, Telugu titles Kalki 2898 AD and Hanu-Man, and Hindi films Swatantraya Veer Savarkar and Article 370, reported PTI.
India has not had an Oscar nomination in the Best International Feature Film category since Lagaan in 2002. Before that, only two films, Mother India and Salaam Bombay!, reached the final five nominees. Last year, the Malayalam hit 2018: Everyone is a Hero was India’s entry for the Oscars.
The satirical Hindi film, which critiques patriarchy with a light-hearted touch, was chosen from a pool of 29 films, including the Bollywood hit Animal, Malayalam National Award winner Aattam, and Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light.
According to PTI, the film was unanimously selected by a 13-member jury headed by Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua. Other notable contenders in the top five included the Hindi film Srikanth, Tamil movies Vaazhai and Thangalaan, and Malayalam film Ullozhukku.
Laapataa Ladies, released in March to widespread critical acclaim, is a heartwarming and empowering story set in rural India in 2001. It follows the lives of two brides who accidentally get swapped during a train journey. Produced by Kiran Rao’s Kindling Productions, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios, the film has resonated with audiences for its nuanced portrayal of gender dynamics in a patriarchal society.
Expressing her joy, Rao said she is "deeply honoured and delighted" that her film will represent India at the 97th Academy Awards.
"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. I would like to express my express heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year - who are equally worthy contenders for this honour,” Rao said in a statement.
After a 13-year hiatus from directing, Rao returned with Laapataa Ladies, her second feature film after 2010’s Dhobi Ghat. The film stars Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav, with performances by Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma. It had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
Other films in contention this year included Tamil film Maharaja, Telugu titles Kalki 2898 AD and Hanu-Man, and Hindi films Swatantraya Veer Savarkar and Article 370, reported PTI.
India has not had an Oscar nomination in the Best International Feature Film category since Lagaan in 2002. Before that, only two films, Mother India and Salaam Bombay!, reached the final five nominees. Last year, the Malayalam hit 2018: Everyone is a Hero was India’s entry for the Oscars.
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