India’s official Oscar entry for 2025, Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has failed to secure a spot in the shortlist for Best International Feature Film, announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). The exclusion has reignited a fiery debate about India’s Oscar selection process, with critics and fans questioning the committee’s choices.
Why Did Laapataa Ladies Miss Out?
Set in rural India, Laapataa Ladies is a quirky comedy that explores the chaos following the disappearance of two brides during a train journey. Despite its engaging storyline and unique cultural backdrop, the film could not captivate Academy voters. This year’s shortlist features international contenders like:
- I’m Still Here (Brazil)
- Universal Language (Canada)
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)
- Kneecap (Ireland)
- Vermiglio (Italy)
- Flow (Latvia)
- Dahomey (Senegal)
Film experts attribute the film’s exclusion to its inability to resonate with global audiences compared to its competitors.
The Controversy Over All We Imagine As Light
Many cinephiles have expressed disappointment over the decision to select Laapataa Ladies over Payal Kapadia’s critically acclaimed All We Imagine As Light. This thought-provoking film, which delves into the lives of two migrant women grappling with loneliness and resilience, was rejected by the selection committee for being “not Indian enough.”
Fans and industry stalwarts argue that Kapadia’s film had a stronger chance of breaking through at the Oscars due to its universal themes and nuanced storytelling. Social media platforms erupted with criticism, with comments like:
- “India missed a golden opportunity by snubbing All We Imagine As Light. It had Oscar written all over it.”
- “The Academy didn’t find Laapataa Ladies Indian enough, just like our committee didn’t think AWAIL was Indian enough. The irony!”
Prominent voices like Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej also weighed in. Kej called Laapataa Ladies “entertaining but the wrong choice,” lamenting the selection process’s focus on mainstream Bollywood films over artistic cinema.
Recurring Pattern of Missed Opportunities
The debate is part of a broader critique of India’s Oscar selection process, with many citing a history of overlooked contenders. Films like The Lunchbox (2013), The Disciple (2020), and RRR (2022) were similarly passed over despite being lauded internationally. Critics argue that such decisions cost India potential Oscar wins and fail to showcase the country’s artistic diversity.
One Twitter user encapsulated the frustration, writing:
“Indian Oscar committee always does this. We reject films with universal appeal for ones we find entertaining, and then wonder why we lose.”
Surprises on the International Stage
While India’s Oscar journey ends, a Hindi-language film from the UK, Santosh, directed by Sandhya Suri, secured a place on the shortlist. The film, centered on a young Hindu widow navigating institutional corruption while investigating a murder, has earned critical acclaim and brought a Hindi-language narrative to the global stage.
What’s Next for India at the Oscars?
As India grapples with yet another Oscar disappointment, industry insiders and fans are urging a reevaluation of the selection process. They call for prioritizing globally resonant themes and cinematic excellence over commercial appeal to ensure India’s films receive the recognition they deserve on the world stage.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.