'Laapataa Ladies' To Be India's Official Entry For Oscars 2025

It's that time of the year when we pin our hopes on one film that could finally end India's long wait for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category.

At an event in Chennai, the Film Federation of India, the organisation responsible for choosing India's official entry for the 97th Academy Awards, announced 'Laapataa Ladies' as the selected film.

Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, the film stars Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel.

Ravi Kottarakara, President of the Film Federation of India, introduced the jury members to the media.

Last year's official entry, Jude Anthany Joseph's film '2018', didn't make it to the shortlist for the 96th Academy Awards.

However, India had a strong showing at the 95th edition, with 'Naatu Naatu' from SS Rajamouli's 'RRR' winning Best Original Song, and Kartiki Gonzalves and Guneet Monga's documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers' taking home the award for Best Documentary (Short). Shaunak Sen's 'All That Breathes' also reached the final list for Best Documentary Feature.

The last Indian feature film to make it to the final shortlist for Best Foreign Film was Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Lagaan' (2001), which ultimately lost to 'No Man's Land' at the 74th Academy Awards.

Interestingly, 'Laapataa Ladies' was pitted against Malayalam film 'Aattam' and Bollywood blockbuster 'Animal'. The selectors finally decided to go with the Kiran Rao directorial.