India’s official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 2025 Oscars, Laapataa Ladies, has been eliminated from the shortlist. The Hindi film, directed by Kiran Rao, did not make it into the final 15 films competing for a spot in the top five, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on December 18, 2024.
Released in March 2024, Laapataa Ladies tells the story of two brides who are accidentally swapped during a train ride on their wedding day. Set in rural India during the early 2000s, the film delves into themes of patriarchy and gender dynamics, blending social satire with a feminist narrative. The movie features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav, with a screenplay by Sneha Desai, based on a story by Biplab Goswami.
Despite being eliminated, the film’s creators expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the support they received throughout the journey. “While we are disappointed, we are immensely grateful for the incredible support we’ve received,” they said. The producers also thanked the Academy members and the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury for selecting Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry.
Produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions, and Kindling Pictures, Laapataa Ladies is available for streaming on Netflix.
Despite earning critical praise after its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and its theatrical release, the film did not make it into the final shortlist. The list includes international films such as Santosh (UK), Emilia Pérez (France), I’m Still Here (Brazil), and Universal Language (Canada). A total of 85 countries submitted films for consideration in the Best International Feature category.
In September 2024, Laapataa Ladies was chosen by the Film Federation of India (FFI) from a pool of 29 films, though its selection sparked some controversy over its portrayal of Indian women, which some critics felt contradicted its feminist themes.
While Laapataa Ladies will not compete for an Oscar nomination, the film continues to generate discussions on social media for its unique portrayal of women’s lives in India.
India has seen notable success in the Oscars International Feature category, with Lagaan reaching the top five in 2002. However, no Indian film has made it to the final five nominations since then. The Oscar nominations will be announced on January 17, 2025, and the awards ceremony is set for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
