Laapataa Ladies made waves as India’s official Oscar entry, but the beloved tale of lost brides won’t make it to the Academy Awards this year. The Kiran Rao venture failed to secure a spot in the 15-film shortlist for the Best International Feature category, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on December 18, 2024.

 

The film tells the story of two brides who get hilariously mixed up and, in the process, discover their own strengths. Deepak marries Phool Kumari, and Jaya married Pradeep. Both couples board the same crowded train to their respective villages. The two newly wed brides accidentally switch places.

 

The cast includes Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav.

 

The final shortlist includes international films like Santosh (UK), Emilia Pérez (France), I’m Still Here (Brazil), and Universal Language (Canada).  Eighty five countries submitted films for Best International Feature category this year, making the competition tough.

 

While Laapataa Ladies won’t be continuing in the Oscar race, it has sparked important conversations about the lives of women in India. The film's makers expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received and thanked Academy members and the FFI for their recognition.

Although India has had success in the Oscars' International Feature category in the past, with Lagaan making it to the final five in 2002, no Indian film has reached the final stage since then. Oscar nominations will be announced on January 17, 2025, with the ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Laapataa Ladies may not have made the Oscars shortlist, but its impact on social media and its portrayal of gender dynamics in India continue to resonate with audiences.

Laapataa Ladies was released on Netflix on March 1, 2024.

 

Earlier, director and writer Kiran Rao's dream had come true as her film  ‘Laapataa Ladies’  has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars Academy Award 2025 in the Best Foreign Film category.

 

On September 21, 2024, during an interview with Press Trust of India, 

Kiran Rao said, “My dream will be fulfilled… if it (Laapataa Ladies) will go to the Oscars. But it’s a process, and I am hoping it will be considered. I am sure the best film will qualify, whoever they (Film Federation India) choose in the scheme of things.”

 

“Our primary recognition comes from the audience's response at the box office. If the audience and the nation appreciate our work, that would be the greatest accolade for us”, Kiran Rao added.

 

 On her Instagram account, an ecstatic Rao wrote, “I am deeply honored and beyond delighted that our film Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life. Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India. 

 

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year, who are equally worthy contenders for this honor.”