India’s official entry for Oscars 2025: From Laapataa Ladies to Thangalaan, a look at the top five films

Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kindling Pictures and Jio Studios, has been announced as India’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards. The 29 films that entered the race this year were Laapataa Ladies, Thangalaan, Vaazhai, Ullozhukku, Srikanth, Kill, Hanu-Man, Kalki 2898 AD, Animal, Chandu Champion, Sam Bahadur, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Good Luck, Gharat Ganpati, Maidaan, Joram, Kottukaali, Jama, Article 370, Aattam, Aadujeevitham, Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan, Ghaath, Aabha, Maharaja, Mangalavaaram, Jigarthanda DoubleX, and All We Imagine As Light. Besides Laapataa Ladies, Thangalaan, Vaazhai, Ullozhukku, and Srikanth made it to the top five films list, according to the jury. Scroll to read more.

Laapataa Ladies
Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava and Nitanshi Goel-starrer Laapataa Ladies chronicles the story of two young newlywed brides. The two get exchanged during a train ride to their husband’s homes.

Thangalaan
Set against the backdrop of the exploitation of the Kolar Gold Fields by the British, Pa Ranjith's period drama Thangalaan stars Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone, Pasupathy and Hari Krishnan.

Vaazhai
The Mari Selvaraj directorial Vaazhai is a rural drama that focuses on the struggles of villagers involved in the Banyan tree business.

Ullozhukku
Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu-starrer Ullozhukku, directed by Christo Tomy, is the story of a young widow and her doting mother-in-law, whose wait to bury a loved one is thwarted by floodwaters.

Srikanth
Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, Srikanth is a biographical film on the life of Srikanth Bolla, a visually-impaired industrialist and the founder of Bollant Industries. The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Jyothika, Alaya F and Sharad Kelkar.