‘Laapataa Ladies’ to represent India at the 2025 Oscar awards; a look at India’s past Oscar nominations

The Academy Awards, often regarded as the pinnacle of cinematic recognition, celebrate excellence in filmmaking across numerous categories, including the highly esteemed Best International Feature Film. Each year, countries from around the world submit their best films, vying for a prestigious nomination.
For the 2025 Oscars, India has selected Kiran Rao’s Laapata Ladies as its official entry.This satirical film, set against the backdrop of rural India, delves into themes of patriarchy and societal norms, making it a compelling choice. Chosen from a pool of 29 submissions, Laapataa Ladies triumphed over notable contenders, including big-budget films like Animal and Kalki 2898 AD.
The selection underscores the diversity of Indian cinema, spanning regional independent projects to mainstream blockbusters, and positions India as a strong contender for global recognition at the Academy Awards.

On Monday, the Film Federation of India announced the selection of Laapata Ladies. The film stood out among 29 submissions from various regions and languages across India. This year’s selection emphasises the rich diversity of Indian cinema, which spans everything from independent regional films to mainstream Bollywood blockbusters.
Laapataa Ladies faced strong competition from several high-profile films. Among them were Ranbir Kapoor’s much-anticipated action thriller Animal and the futuristic sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone. National Award-winning films like Aattam and All We Imagine As Light, which earned acclaim at Cannes, were also in contention, underscoring the quality of the competition.

Several Hindi-language films were also competing for the honour. Ajay Devgan’s sports drama Maidaan, which tells the story of Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim, and Kartik Aaryan’s biopic Chandu Champion were notable contenders. Yami Gautam’s politically charged thriller Article 370 also stood out, adding to the variety of films considered for the selection.
India’s submission list was further enriched by entries from regional industries. The Telugu film industry had a strong presence, submitting films such as Mangalavaaram, the superhero film Hanu-Man, and Kalki 2898 AD. This increasing presence highlights the regional film industries’ growing impact on India’s cinematic landscape.

Directed by Kiran Rao, Laapataa Ladies is a satirical exploration of patriarchy set in rural India. The film's selection highlights India’s commitment to telling diverse and powerful stories that resonate with both domestic and international audiences. The unique narrative and thought-provoking theme make it a strong contender for international recognition.


Also read: Kenny Sebastian's heartwarming announcement of baby Emily's arrival | Check Instagram post