Laapataa Ladies Directed By Kiran Rao Is India's Official Entry To Oscars 2025

‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India’s official entry for Oscars 2025. The film is directed by Kiran Rao and co-produced by Aamir Khan. The film released earlier this year and was received with much love. The film stars Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam and Ravi Kishan. Laapataa Ladies’ Oscar entry comes just a few days after Kiran Rao confessed it is her dream that Laapataa Ladies goes to the Oscars.

Laapataa Ladies will be eyeing a nomination in the Best Foreign Film. The members of The Film Federation of India gathered in Chennai and announced that they are sending Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards.

Speaking with PTI last week, Kiran Rao said, “My dream would be fulfilled if it was, if it would go (to Oscars). But it’s a process, and I’m hoping it’ll (Laapataa Ladies) be considered. I’m sure the best film will go, whoever they choose in the scheme of things.”

For the unversed, Laapataa Ladies takes viewers back to rural India in 2001. Its narrative revolves around two brides who get exchanged during a train journey. The journey filled with twists and turns begins as their husbands start searching for the real bride.

Made under the banners of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, Laapataa Ladies marked the directorial comeback of Kiran Rao after Dhobi Ghat. Before its theatrical release, the film was screened at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023. It received a standing ovation from the audience present at the festival.

Last year, Tovino Thomas’ 2018 was selected as the official submission for the 96th Oscar Awards. However, the film did not shortlist. The 95th Academy Awards were massive for India as Naatu Naatu song, from SS Rajamouli’s RRR, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. India shined in the Documentary sections as well, with The Elephant Whisperers winning the Best Documentary (Short). Shaunak Sen’s All that Breathes was also nominated for Best Documentary Feature but it did not win.