Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards. The Film Federation of India (FFI) announced this on September 23.
Released in March, Laapataa Ladies marks Rao’s second directorial project after her well-received debut, Dhobi Ghat, in 2011. The satirical comedy-drama film unfolds the tale of a young man whose bride is mistakenly swapped with another. It features actors Sparsh Shrivastava, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan and is based on Biplab Goswami’s award-winning screenplay, Two Brides.
The FFI jury, led by Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua, commended the film for portraying the intricacies of Indian women’s lives, noting, “Laapataa Ladies engages, entertains, and resonates not just with women in India but universally.”
The film, produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions, and Kindling Pictures, debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and is available on Netflix.
Actor Ravi Kishan praised the film for its authentic representation of India and expressed confidence in its success at the Oscars. “I am so excited and happy. I just got the news and have been constantly receiving calls,” he commented.
India last competed for an Oscar with Lagaan in 2001.
