This is an archive article published on September 23, 2024
Laapataa Ladies is India’s official entry to Oscars 2025; trumps Animal, Aattam and All We Imagine As Light
On the possibility of her film All We Imagine As Light being sent for Oscars, director Payal Kapadia had said on Saturday, ‘It’s is an Indian film. It would be great to represent India’.
Ending speculation over India’s official entry for the best foreign film category at the 97th Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India (FFI) in Chennai selected Kiran Rao-directed Laapataa Ladies for submission.
Expressing her gratitude to “the selection committee and to everyone who believed in the film”, Rao in her social media post wrote: “It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year — who are equally worthy contenders for this honour.”
Set in the heartland, Laapataa Ladies tells the coming-of-age story of two newlywed brides, who are mistakenly exchanged during a train ride to their in-law’s homes. The film produced by Aamir Khan Productions emerged as the top choice for India’s Oscar entry out of 29 movies which were under consideration. Khan in his media statement said he was “proud of Kiran and her entire team” and hoped that the film would be “able to win the hearts of the members of the Academy”.
The announcement by FFI, which is entrusted to make the selection, was lauded by many while others expressed their surprise over Payal Kapadia-directed All We Imagine As Light, the winner of Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, being overlooked. After its Cannes premiere, All We Imagine As Light has been making waves in major international film festivals, including the ones held in San Sebastian, Toronto and New York.
Speaking to The Indian Express on Saturday, following the release of All We Imagine As Light in Kerala, Kapadia when asked about the possibility of her debut feature being selected as India’s Oscar entry said, “All We Imagine As Light is an Indian film. It would be great to represent India.” Actor Rana Dagubatti, whose Spirit Media is the distributing the film, spoke about his plan to release the film phase-wise in different parts of India.
In her post, Rao thanked her team and said, “I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India.”
Among the movies under consideration by the 13-member jury, headed by filmmaker Jahnu Barua, were Kalki 2898 AD; Animal; Chandu Champion; Sam Bahadur; Aattam; Aadujeevitham; Maidaan; Joram and Kottukaali.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
