Tale of Two Brides, Directed by Kiran Rao and Produced by Aamir Khan
The Film Federation of India, on Monday announced the official contender from India to compete at the Oscars 2025: Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies. This Hindi film, that approached patriarchy in a light manner, has been picked from a competitive pool of 29 films that included popular titles like Animal,” the National Award-winning “Aattam,” and Cannes winner “All We Imagine As Light.”
Selection Process
A 13-member committee, constituted by Assamese director Jahnu Barua, unanimously chose “Laapataa Ladies” as India’s contender in the Best International Film category of the Academy Awards. The rest of the top five are “Srikanth,” “Vaazhai,” “Thangalaan,” and “Ullozhukku.”
Plot Synopsis and Reception
Laapataa Ladies, which has won massive appreciation for its touching story, is all set to hit the screens this March. The 2001 film is the story of two brides from rural India who swap places with each other while on a train after an unfortunate mix-up at the train station. It is produced by Rao’s Kindling Productions, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios.
She feels honored by this and is grateful that the film will represent India at the 97th Academy Awards. She said that cinema unites the hearts, also takes along a very serious subject to further initiate discussions, as she hopes the film can reach all over the world.
Journey of the Filmmaker
Returning to direction after almost 13 years, Rao made her mark earlier with “Dhobi Ghat.” There is Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Ravi Kishan, who essays a cop, and the truth about the swapped brides.
Cast Comments
The cinema is crucial for Kishan. “The world will watch Indian society, especially rural India, through the Oscars,” he adds while stressing that the film’s message of self-responsibility giving way to the empowerment of women is indeed positive.
Chhaya Kadam, the heroine of the movie, expressed her elation at this Oscar nomination, saying it had Oscar potential. She even boasted about telling Rao that this nomination would surely come about someday.
A Historic Moment
This is a first as no Indian film has been nominated in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars since “Lagaan” in 2002. Earlier, some of the films made it to the final five are “Mother India” and “Salaam Bombay!”. Last year, “2018: Everyone is a Hero” represented India.
