The Film Federation of India (FFI) has officially confirmed that Kiran Rao’s latest film, Laapataa Ladies, will represent India at the 2025 Academy Awards. This marks a significant milestone for Rao, as it is her second directorial effort following her debut in 2011 with Dhobi Ghat. Interestingly, Kiran's journey in the film industry began as an assistant director on Lagaan, which was also submitted to the Oscars.
Released on March 1, Laapataa Ladies features a fresh cast including newcomers Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Pratibha Ranta. Set in 2001, the film tells the story of a groom who mistakenly picks up the wrong bride during a train journey. Blending comedy, drama, and satire, the film carries a poignant message on female empowerment.
Although Laapataa Ladies did not achieve significant box office success, it garnered critical acclaim and gained immense popularity after its release on Netflix, where it has reached cult status. The film achieved record viewership numbers, surpassing Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, which had dominated Netflix's top lists for weeks.
Each year, the Indian government selects one film to compete in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. While there will be further rounds of selection before the final decision, it’s notable that no Indian film has ever won an Oscar despite numerous submissions over the years. Last year, the Malayalam film 2018, directed by Jude Anthony Joseph, was India's official entry.
