TNFMumbai/ TNF
In a proud moment for Indian cinema, the Film Federation of India announced that Kiran Rao’s film Lapata Ladies has been officially selected for the 2025 Oscars. This Hindi film, rich with a lighthearted satire on patriarchy, has been chosen from a competitive pool of 29 films, which includes big names like Bollywood’s Animal and the National Award-winning Malayalam film Attam.
Set against the backdrop of rural India in 2001, Lapata Ladies tells a poignant tale of two brides whose lives intertwine during a train journey, leading to an unexpected switch. The film is produced by Rao’s Kindling Productions, alongside Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios. This marks a significant return for Rao, who last directed 13 years ago.
Kiran Rao made her directorial debut in 2010 with Dhobi Ghat, a film that explored the lives of various people in Mumbai. With Lapata Ladies having been showcased at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Rao expressed her excitement about continuing this cinematic journey. She said, “Our team is eager to embrace this opportunity and share our story with a broader audience.”
The Oscars, established in 1927, have seen a total of 57 Indian films nominated in the international feature category since its inception. The first Indian entry was Mehboob Khan’s Mother India in 1957, which remains a landmark in Indian film history. Despite this rich history, only three Indian films—Mother India (1958), Salaam Bombay (1989), and Lagaan (2001)—have made it to the final nominations for the Best International Feature Film, and none have clinched the award.
The race for the Oscars this year is competitive, with Indian contenders including the Hindi film Shreekant, the Tamil films Vazhiyai and Thangalan, as well as the Malayalam film Ullozhukku. As the 97th Academy Awards ceremony approaches on March 2, 2025, the anticipation grows for Lapata Ladies and its potential to break the long-standing barrier for Indian cinema on the global stage.
As Indian filmmakers continue to push boundaries and explore diverse narratives, Lapata Ladies represents not just a film, but a movement towards recognizing and celebrating the stories of women in India. With its unique blend of humor and social commentary, it holds the promise of resonating with audiences worldwide, leaving a mark in the annals of cinematic history.
As the world gears up for the Oscars, all eyes will be on Lapata Ladies, hoping it not only captures nominations but also the hearts of viewers across the globe, paving the way for more Indian stories to shine on the international platform.
