Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies has officially been chosen as India's entry to the Oscars 2025, beating 29 other films, including Animal, Kalki 2898 AD, and All We Imagine As Light. And it's surely an exciting moment for Indian cinema!
Since its release, Laapataa Ladies has been making waves for receiving widespread acclaim for its songs, storyline, and captivating performances. It even became the most streamed film on Netflix, surpassing Animal's numbers. And now, the film has secured its place as India's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards, as announced by the Film Federation of India. A 13-member all-male jury carefully considered 29 films, including 12 Hindi, six Tamil, and four Malayalam, before selecting Laapataa Ladies. The competition featured big titles like Animal, Kill, Kalki 2898 AD, Srikanth, Chandu Champion, Joram, Maidaan, Sam Bahadur, Article 370, and National Award-winning Aattam, as well as Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine As Light.
While this news has sparked excitement, some cinephiles and industry insiders believe that All We Imagine As Light may have been a stronger contender for the Academy. This view stems from the Oscars' focus on a film’s festival run, international reception, and campaign strategy. As a Cannes Grand Prix winner, Payal Kapadia’s film could have been a better fit for the Academy’s tastes, especially following last year’s Best Foreign Film winner, The Zone of Interest, a Holocaust drama by Jonathan Glazer that also won Grand Prix at the Cannes. However, with Laapataa Ladies being an Aamir Khan production and him being no stranger to the Oscars (Lagaan, anyone?), there’s hope that the film could build a strong Oscar campaign in the months ahead.
Beyond the film industry, Laapataa Ladies' selection carries more profound significance. Firstly, this film about women empowerment in rural India, with a satirical take, reminds us that good content still reigns supreme over star power. As a woman-centric film that explores the impact of patriarchy in a lighthearted, comedic way, it feels like a powerful win against societal norms that often limit women's voices. Who says serious issues can’t be addressed through humour? The film’s rainbow-coloured lens and simplistic touch only adds to its appeal and accessibility in resonating with everyone! The list of 29 films also included names like Hanu-man and Chhota Bheem, and this film being selected feels like a sigh of relief!
That's enough from us; let's look at what the Janta is saying about this!
While the debate about whether Laapataa Ladies, All We Imagine As Light or even Aattam would have been a better choice for the Oscars, rages on, one thing is clear - India’s selection of Laapataa Ladies for the 2025 Oscars is a thrilling moment for both the film industry and audiences alike.
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