India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025 has been announced, and it’s none other than Kiran Rao’s directorial venture Lapata Ladies. The Film Federation of India selected this film from a list of 29 contenders, surprising many with its choice of a movie that stars relatively new faces. What made Lapata Ladies stand out among popular films like Animal and Kalki 2898 AD? The chairman of the selection committee, Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua, shared some insights into this decision.
What Makes Lapata Ladies Special?
Lapata Ladies tells the story of two women, Phool and Pushpa, who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey shortly after their marriages in the fictional state of Nirmal Pradesh. One woman ends up with the wrong husband, while the other is left behind at the station. The film’s plot revolves around their adventures, and a dedicated police officer, Kishan, who steps in to resolve the confusion.
The movie is a mix of comedy and drama, showcasing Indian social dynamics in a light-hearted yet insightful way. With lead performances by Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goyal, the film adds a fresh perspective to Indian cinema.
Why the Jury Picked Lapata Ladies for the Oscars
Jahnu Barua, who led the 13-member jury of the Film Federation of India, explained why Lapata Ladies was selected as the country’s official Oscar entry. According to him, the film’s portrayal of “Indianness” and its reflection of Indian culture were key reasons for its selection.
“The jury has to choose a film that represents India on all fronts—whether it’s the country’s social system, culture, or values. Lapata Ladies did an excellent job of showcasing Indian life, especially the dynamics of marriage and family,” Barua said in an interview with The Indian Express.
He emphasized that the film is a perfect blend of entertainment and deeper social commentary, making it an ideal contender to represent India on the global stage.
A Surprising Entry from a Long List of Competitors
With 29 films in the running, the competition to be selected as India’s official Oscar entry was intense. The list included some of the year’s most talked-about films, such as Animal, Aattam, and the much-anticipated Kalki 2898 AD.
However, Barua explained that the jury can only choose from the films they are given, and Lapata Ladies emerged as the unanimous choice. He also noted that while there might be better films in other categories, this was the best representation of India from the pool of nominations they reviewed.
Produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kiran Rao’s Kindling Productions
Lapata Ladies is presented by Jio Studios and jointly produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kiran Rao’s Kindling Productions. Kiran Rao, who made her directorial debut with Dhobi Ghat, has once again shown her ability to craft a film that not only entertains but also speaks to the realities of Indian society.
As India looks forward to the Oscars in 2025, there’s much excitement around how Lapata Ladies will perform on the international stage, and what it can bring to the global conversation about Indian cinema.
