After ‘Lagaan’ (2001), its once again-- co-producer Aamir Khan's ‘Laapataa Ladies’ directed by Kiran Rao ( she feels “honored” ) selected as Indian entry for Oscar Awards ! By Chaitanya Padukone

Is it that the alphabet letter “L” is 'maha-lucky' for producer Aamir Khan when it comes to the Oscar Awards?

Director Kiran Rao’s maverick entertainer movie Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official submission to the Oscars 2025. The announcement was made today by the jury of the Film Federation of India (FFI), the apex body that annually selects the Indian official entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film Category. Not surprising that talented director Kiran Rao’s  box-office hit film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ which has a realistic rural backdrop with quirky humor is India’s official entry ( out of nearly 30 other competing Indian films) for the prestigious 97th Oscar ( Academy) Awards 2025 The event will be held in Hollywood, Los Angeles in the US in the first quarter of the next year 2025

Incredible coincidence,  that co-producer Aamir Khan’s rural backdrop movie ‘Lagaan’ ( 2001) directed by Ashutosh Gowariker was also sent as an Indian entry for the Oscar and was selected in the Final Five in the International Feature Films category.   Apparently, both producer Aamir Khan and director Kiran Rao are super-delighted and feel honored with this latest exciting development.

This year, a total of some 29 films, including Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning All We Imagine as Light and the acclaimed Malayalam drama Aattam, were in the running for Oscars selection

Reacts excited Kiran Rao, “ My entire cast and crew  and I are deeply honored and 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,” says Kiran who also expresses her gratitude to the collaborating producers..

Shares Kiran, “My deepest thanks go to Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios for their unwavering support and faith in this vision. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate and talented team of professionals who shared my commitment to telling this story.​ I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire cast and crew, whose immense talent, dedication, and hard work made this film possible. This journey has been one of incredible collaboration and growth” expresses the director of  her debut film ‘Dhobi Ghat’ (2010).

The satirical quirky comedy-drama Laapataa Ladies narrates the engaging 'period' story of a two young newly-wed brides who get 'exchanged' during a train journey to their husband’s homes .

The film stars a talented cast  of  Sparsh Shrivastava along with Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam and Ravi Kishan in an award-worthy role of the chilled-out yet vigilant pan-chewing Police Inspector  Shyam Manohar . It is based on Biplab Goswami’s prize-winning screenplay, Two Brides.

Kiran has always stressed that it’s the janata-janardhan--the discerning theatre audiences and digital viewers who contributed to her movie ‘Lapataa Ladki’s  box-office super-success “The unconditional  love and support of the audiences  means the world to us. In fact it their belief in our  film that continues to inspire us as passionate filmmakers to push creative boundaries. Thank you once again for this incredible honor. We look forward to taking this journey ahead to its next levels, with great enthusiasm,” assures Kiran who hopes to start her next movie probably within 12 months.

Considering that rural-based ( Lagaan-2001) and lower strata of Indian society (Slumdog Millionaire--2008) often seem to find fascination with the Oscar Academy Awards jury, this rural-backdrop movie 'Laapataa Ladies' is possibly a strong contender for the International Films category-2025

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