'Laapataa Ladies' chosen for Oscars 2025 due to its 'Indianness'
Kiran Rao's film Laapataa Ladies has been officially selected as India's entry for the Oscars 2025. The decision was made by a 13-member jury led by Assamese director Jahnu Barua. In an interview with The Indian Express, Barua explained that the film was chosen because it authentically represents India's diverse social fabric and ethos.
'Laapataa Ladies' selection process and film synopsis
Barua further stated, "The jury has to look at the right film that represents India on all fronts. Particularly, the film has to represent India's social systems and ethos. The Indianness is very important, and Laapataa Ladies scored on that front." He emphasized that while there may be better films outside the shortlist of 29 contenders, the jury could only choose from those submitted.
'Laapataa Ladies' represents the 'plight of Indian women'
Laapataa Ladies, released in March 2024, is Rao's second feature directorial effort following her acclaimed debut with Dhobi Ghat. The film is a satirical comedy-drama revolving around a young man whose bride is accidentally swapped with another woman. Ravi Kottakara, President of the Film Federation of India (FFI), told ETimes that when the jury saw Laapataa Ladies, "it represented the plight of the Indian woman."
'Laapataa Ladies's selection was unanimous, says FFI
The 13-member select committee headed by Barua unanimously decided on Laapataa Ladies for representing India in the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards. The film stars newcomers Pratibha Ratna, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Nitanshi Goel. Set in a fictitious state called Nirmal Pradesh in 2001, it is a story of brides Phool and Pushpa who accidentally get swapped during a train journey.
FFI's citation for 'Laapataa Ladies' selection
In the jury citation, the FFI wrote, "Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance. Well-defined, powerful characters in one world, Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) captures this diversity perfectly." "It shows you that women can happily desire to be homemakers 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."
