New Delhi, Sept 23: Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards. This decision was confirmed by the Film Federation of India (FFI) for the 97th Oscars on Monday.
The film, which features Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel, is set in 2001 and follows the story of two rural brides who unintentionally swap places during a train journey. It highlights issues such as gender roles, education, and empowerment in rural India, combining emotional depth with humor.
Released in March 2024, Laapataa Ladies received critical acclaim and is distributed by Kindling Productions and Aamir Khan Productions. Kiran Rao had expressed her aspiration for the film to be considered for the Oscars, stating, “I would be thrilled if Laapataa Ladies was selected for the Oscars, but I understand it’s a process and hope the best film will be chosen.”
The film’s ensemble cast includes Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma. Since its debut on Netflix, it has been praised for its depiction of rural life and empowerment.
Laapataa Ladies was picked from a pool of 30 Indian films for the Oscars 2025. The awards ceremony will take place in March next year, and Kiran Rao’s film will represent India in the international feature film category. Rao, known for her work on Dhobi Ghat(2011), continues her focus on meaningful storytelling.
