FFI Jury Head Jahnu Barua Defends ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Oscars Decision Amid Backlash

“Barua calls criticism ‘unfortunate’ and asserts the film’s Indian-ness as key to its selection, while addressing technical concerns about rival entry.”

December 19, 2024: The Film Federation of India’s (FFI) decision to select Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars Best International Feature category has sparked controversy. After the film failed to make the shortlist, prominent voices like filmmaker Hansal Mehta and musician Ricky Kej criticised the decision, calling it a missed opportunity. Responding to the backlash, FFI jury head Jahnu Barua defended the jury’s choice, emphasising the democratic and thoughtful nature of the process.

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Barua Condemns the Backlash

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Jahnu Barua called the criticism from industry figures “unfortunate and uncalled for.” He urged people to respect the jury’s decision. “Why should people say such things? It is very unfortunate. People should try to accept it as the jury’s decision. I’ve had many of my films compete internationally—some won, some didn’t. That doesn’t mean I should have a negative view of the process,” Barua said.

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When asked about figures like Hansal Mehta and Ricky Kej publicly calling out the FFI, Barua replied, “Well, they were not in the jury, that’s all.”

Defending the Decision

Barua explained the reasoning behind selecting Laapataa Ladies over other contenders, particularly Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, which some critics believed had better potential. “The jury felt that the films sent to the Oscars in recent years lacked ‘Indian-ness.’ A film representing India should authentically reflect the nation’s culture and society. Laapataa Ladies brilliantly captured the social chaos we experience, which resonated deeply with the jury,” he said.

Also Read: Hansal Mehta Criticises FFI After Laapataa Ladies Exits Oscars Race

Addressing why All We Imagine As Light wasn’t chosen, Barua was candid: “The jury felt that her film was very poor technically.”

On Accepting the Process

Barua stressed that the selection process was a democratic one and asked the public to respect the jury’s collective verdict. “People need to understand that this is a process. It’s not about blame; it’s about perspective. The jury unanimously believed that Laapataa Ladies was the right choice to represent the country,” he added.

Despite the backlash, Barua stood by the jury’s decision, emphasizing that it was made with integrity and a focus on what best represented Indian cinema.

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