Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards. Produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, and Jyoti Deshpande, the film tells the story of two young brides who get swapped by mistake during a train journey to their new homes.
The film stars Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Srivastava, and Ravi Kishen, and was praised for its unique story, screenplay, and performances. After premiering at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2023, the film was released in theaters in March 2024 and received positive feedback from critics and audiences alike.
In an emotional note shared on social media, Kiran Rao expressed her gratitude and excitement for the recognition. She wrote – “I am deeply honored and delighted that our film Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life. Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year – who are equally worthy contenders for this honor.”
Thanking the cast, crew and production team, she further wrote – “My deepest thanks go to Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios for their unwavering support and faith in this vision. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate and talented team of professionals who shared my commitment to telling this story. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire cast and crew, whose immense talent, dedication, and hard work made this film possible. This journey has been one of incredible collaboration and growth.”
“To the audience, your love and support mean the world to us, and it is your belief in this film that continues to inspire us as filmmakers to push creative boundaries. Thank you once again for this incredible honor. We look forward to taking this journey ahead with great enthusiasm,” she concluded the note.
The film was chosen from a selection of 29 Indian films, including Animal, Kalki 2898 AD, and Sam Bahadur. Laapataa Ladies will now represent India at the prestigious Oscars ceremony in 2025.
