India’s official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 2025 Oscars, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, has failed to make the Academy’s 15-film shortlist. While the news has disappointed the makers, they have expressed gratitude to the Academy members and the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury for the honour of representing India.
In a statement, the team behind Laapataa Ladies said:
“Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) did not make it to the Academy Awards shortlist this year, and we are of course disappointed. However, we are immensely grateful for the incredible support and belief we’ve received throughout this journey. We at Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, and Kindling Productions extend our gratitude to the Academy members and the FFI jury for considering our film.”
The note added, “To be included in this prestigious process alongside some of the finest films from across the world is an honour in itself. Our heartfelt thanks to audiences around the world who have expressed their love and support for our film. We congratulate the teams of all the shortlisted films and wish them the very best in the next stages of the awards. For us, this is not the end but a step forward. We remain committed to bringing more powerful stories to life and sharing them with the world. Thank you for being part of this journey.”
Directed by Kiran Rao and co-produced by Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande, Laapataa Ladies tells the story of two young brides who accidentally swap places during a train journey to their husbands’ homes. The cast includes Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan.
Criticism of FFI’s Selection
Following the exclusion of Laapataa Ladies from the shortlist, filmmaker Hansal Mehta and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej criticised the FFI. Mehta sarcastically flagged the FFI’s dismal “strike rate” in selecting films for Oscars consideration year after year.
Several social media users also expressed their disappointment, suggesting that Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light might have been a better choice. The film, which pays tribute to Mumbai’s working class, stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridhu Haroon. It has already won acclaim at Cannes and been nominated for two Golden Globes and a Critics Choice Award.
A Surprise Entry from the UK: Santosh
Image : Razor Film
Interestingly, a Hindi-language film has made it to the Oscars shortlist, but not as India’s entry. Titled Santosh, this investigative thriller, directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, was selected by the UK.
Set in a North Indian village, Santosh premiered at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section. Produced by Alan McAlex, James Bausher, Balthazar de Ganay, and Mike Goodridge, the film stars Indian actresses Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar in lead roles. It was chosen by BAFTA, which selects the UK’s entry for the Oscars, due to its distribution and production backing in Britain.
The 2025 Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, 2 March, broadcasting live from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. For the first time, the ceremony will also stream live on Hulu.
