December 18, 2024: Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies, India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, has failed to make it to the Oscars shortlist, effectively ending its run in the prestigious race. Despite being chosen as India’s official submission, the film did not make the cut in the shortlist announced by the Academy.
The film, which had generated considerable buzz after its selection, faced a disappointing turn as it was left out of the top 15 films in the race for the Oscar nomination. Following the announcement, the filmmakers expressed both their disappointment and gratitude in a statement.
In the statement, issued by Jio Studios and Kiran Rao’s Kindling Productions, the team expressed their thanks to the Academy members and the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury for considering the film and their ongoing support throughout the journey. The statement read:
“Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) did not make it to the Academy Awards shortlist this year, and we are of course disappointed, but equally we are immensely grateful for the incredible support and belief we’ve received throughout this journey.”
The filmmakers also took the opportunity to express gratitude to audiences worldwide who had shown love and support for the film, as well as congratulating the films that made it to the top 15 shortlist.
“We congratulate the teams of all the top 15 shortlisted films and wish them the very best in the next stages of the awards.”
Despite the setback, the filmmakers remained optimistic and emphasized that this was not the end for Laapataa Ladies but rather a step forward. They expressed their commitment to continuing their work in the industry and bringing more impactful stories to life.
“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.”
In September, Laapataa Ladies was selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI), led by Jahnu Barua, as the official submission for India. The film, which explores complex human emotions and societal themes, was chosen over 29 films in various Indian languages, including Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light and the National Award-winning Aattam.
While the film’s journey to the Oscars has ended, it has still received praise for its storytelling and unique narrative. The Film Federation of India and the makers of the film have expressed their pride in being part of the global conversation.
While Laapataa Ladies is no longer in the race, India still has hope in the form of other entries:
- Shahana Goswami-starrer Santosh, directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, remains in contention as the United Kingdom’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category.
- In addition, Guneet Monga’s live-action short film Anuja has made it to the Oscar shortlist, providing a glimmer of hope for India’s presence at the Academy Awards this year.
Though Laapataa Ladies may not have made the final cut, India continues to have a presence in the Oscars race, with other films still vying for recognition. The filmmakers of Laapataa Ladies have made it clear that their journey is far from over, as they remain optimistic about the future of their creative ventures.
