Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Misses Oscars Shortlist Despite Critical Acclaim

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlist for the 97th Oscars, and Kiran Rao’s directorial Laapataa Ladies has not made the cut in the Best International Feature Film category. Despite being India’s official entry, the film failed to advance further in the competition.

The Film and Its Journey

Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kindling Pictures, and Jio Studios, premiered in theaters on March 1, 2024.

Starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi Kishan, and Chhaya Kadam, the film is set in rural India and follows the story of two young brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey.

The film earned ₹20.58 crore in India during its 13-week theatrical run. Including ₹2.75 crore from overseas markets, its worldwide gross collection stood at ₹27.06 crore.

The movie, reportedly made on a budget of ₹5 crore, garnered attention for its unique storyline and performances. In preparation for Oscars 2025, the team had organized screenings and released a new poster titled Lost Ladies to cater to international audiences.

Notably, Aamir Khan’s Lagaan remains the last Indian film to secure a nomination in the category, achieving this feat in 2002.

Since then, Indian entries like Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par have been submitted but failed to receive nominations.

Disappointment and Gratitude from the Makers

Following the news of the film’s exclusion from the Oscars shortlist, the team expressed mixed emotions.

A statement from the makers read, “Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) did not make it to the Academy Awards shortlist this year, and we are of course disappointed, but equally we are immensely grateful for the incredible support and belief we’ve received throughout this journey.”

The team extended gratitude to the Academy members and the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury for selecting the film as India’s official entry.

They further stated, “To be included in this prestigious process alongside some of the finest films from across the world is an honor in itself. Our heartfelt thanks to all the audiences around the world who have expressed their love and support for our film.”

Despite the setback, the filmmakers remain optimistic, stating that this marks a step forward in their journey to bring powerful stories to global audiences.

Backlash and Criticism

The exclusion of Laapataa Ladies sparked criticism on social media. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta and Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej were among those who questioned the FFI’s choice.

Mehta criticized the FFI’s selection process, calling it ineffective, while Kej lamented India’s focus on mainstream Bollywood films for international submissions.

Ricky Kej shared his thoughts on X, saying, “Year after year, we are choosing the wrong films. We live in a ‘mainstream Bollywood’ bubble, unable to look beyond films that entertain us.”

He urged selectors to prioritize artistic cinema over star-studded productions, regardless of budget or cast.

FFI’s Response to the Controversy

FFI jury head Jahnu Barua defended the selection process and criticized the backlash. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Barua stated, “Why should people say such things? It is very unfortunate. People should try to accept it as the jury’s decision. The jury felt that Laapataa Ladies had all the right elements, and presented the social chaos we go through brilliantly.”

Barua emphasized that the jury aimed to select a film that reflected India’s cultural identity.

He also addressed criticism of Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, which some believed should have been India’s entry. Barua called Kapadia’s film “poor technically,” asserting that Laapataa Ladies was a better representation of Indian storytelling.

India’s Oscar Legacy

Till date, no Indian film has won in the International Feature Film category at the Oscars. Only three films—Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001)—have been nominated.

While Laapataa Ladies failed to progress, a Hindi-language film from the United Kingdom, Santosh, made it to the shortlist.

Meanwhile, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light continues to garner acclaim, earning nominations at the Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language) and Best Direction.

Despite the disappointment, the team of Laapataa Ladies remains committed to creating impactful cinema and representing India on global platforms.