India’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Sets Sights on Oscar for Best International Feature Film
Indian cinema has a long history of making its mark at the Oscars, from classic nominations like ‘Mother India’ (1957) to recent successes such as ‘RRR’ (2022). While competition remains fierce, hopes are high again as ‘Laapataa Ladies’ prepares to enter the race for the Best International Feature Film title. Let’s take a close look into the rising buzz surrounding the film.
The Journey of ‘Laapataa Ladies’: From Theatrical Miss to Netflix Success
Produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions, and Kindling Pictures, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ premiered on September 8, 2023, at the Toronto International Film Festival. After its theatrical release on March 1, 2024, the initial reception was unfavorable. However, the satirical film found new life following its Netflix debut on April 26, garnering widespread acclaim.
The movie was directed by Kiran Rao. The production credit goes to Rao, Aamir Khan, and Jyoti Deshpande.
The cast features Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goyel, Chhaya Kadam, Sparsh Shrivastava, Abhay Shankar Dubey, Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, Ravi Kishan, and Durgesh Kumar.
‘Laapataa Ladies’ Sets Its Sights on the Oscars
On Monday, September 23, the Film Federation of India announced ‘Laapataa Ladies’ as its official entry for the 97th Academy Awards. This film will compete for a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category, representing India on the global stage.
The selection committee, consisting of 13 members and chaired by acclaimed Assamese director Jahnu Barua, has made this decision. The selection process saw the movie outshine 29 notable contenders, including Cannes winner ‘All We Imagine as Light’, the Bollywood hit ‘Animal’, and the Malayalam film ‘Aattam’.
As per Oscar rules, only one film from each country can be submitted for the Best International Feature Film category. A shortlist of 15 films is created from entries submitted worldwide, from which 5 will be nominated for the final event.
However, the deadline for movie submissions is November 14, with the shortlist to be announced on December 17. Final nominees will be revealed on January 17, 2025, as the Oscar race heats up. That being said, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ still faces two challenging hurdles on its path to the Oscars. The most anticipated 97th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
The film is primarily a comedy of errors with a purpose, seamlessly blending a social message into its light-hearted storyline. Using moderate humor to tackle serious themes, the movie cleverly critiques traditional Indian patriarchy. Many critics find parallels with the setting of Rabindranath Tagore's Bengali novel ‘Noukadubi’ (1906).
The story unfolds with a mishap involving two brides mistakenly swapped on a train full of newlyweds. As the plot progresses, it emphasizes reason over superstition, urging women to embrace individuality and awareness in all aspects of life. The screenplay not only challenges patriarchal values but also delivers a powerful message to women about preserving their self-respect. It stresses that women should not rely on external judgments of right and wrong but should use their judgment to define their path.
Audiences, especially those familiar with rural Indian society, have connected deeply with the film’s portrayal of outdated societal norms. This emotional resonance has been a significant factor in this movie’s widespread popularity.
‘Laapataa Ladies’, India's official entry for the 97th Oscars, aims to secure a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category. It has elevated Kiran Rao's directorial prowess, marking her return to the limelight after a long time. The filmmakers and crew are hopeful that the movie will impress the Oscar nomination committee, just as it has resonated with Indian audiences.