In what can be called one of the biggest snubs for Indian cinema in recent years, Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies’ Oscar run ended prematurely, as it failed to clinch a spot in the nominations of Best International Features Film. The movie, a heartwarming tale of two rural brides who get swapped on a train journey, starred newbies Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, along with Ravi Kishan and Chhaya Kadam. Opening to rave reviews, the movie, steeped in ‘Indianness’, also did well commercially, making it a favorite to reach the nomination stage, if not more. However, it wasn’t meant to be.
Soon after, Aamir Khan productions, who backed the movie, put out a statement expressing their disappointment, but remaining upbeat. The statement read, “We are, of course, disappointed, but equally, we are immensely grateful for the incredible support and belief we’ve received throughout this journey.” They added, “We at Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios and Kindling Productions extend our gratitude to the Academy members and the FFI jury for considering our film. To be included in this prestigious process alongside some of the finest films from across the world is an honour in itself.”
On the other hand, Social media platforms have been flooded with posts expressing disapproval of the Academy’s decision. Director Hansal Mehta, posting a screenshot of the final nominees wrote, “Film Federation of India does it again! Their strike rate and selection of films year after year is impeccable.”
On the other hand, three time Grammy winner music composer Ricky Kej echoed Mehta’s sentiment, and said, “So, the @TheAcademyOscars shortlist is out. #LaapataaLadies is a very well made, entertaining movie (I enjoyed it), but was absolutely the wrong choice to represent India for the best #InternationalFeatureFilm category. As expected, it lost.
When are we going to realize.. year after year.. we are choosing the wrong films. There are so many excellent movies made, and we should be winning the #InternationalFeatureFilm category every year!
Unfortunately we live in a “Mainstream Bollywood” bubble, where we cannot look beyond films that we ourselves find entertaining. Instead we should just look for good films made by film-makers who are uncompromising in their art.. low budget or big budget.. star or no star.. just great artistic cinema.
Below is the poster of #LaapataaLadies, I am sure most academy voting members dismissed the film just by looking at these.”
He added, “I re-iterate. Laapataa Ladies is a good film, well made, I myself found it engaging and entertaining.. handing subject matter well.. I even watched it a second time with friends. It is a film which fits well within the Indian mainstream.. and there is nothing wrong with that. But the treatment, style and presentation was not something that could ever win the “International Feature Film Category” at the Oscars. The poster itself, with the retro-collage look, the doodles, and the comic fonts does not show depth, that is usually preferred in this category.”
What is the FFI’s take?
Firdausul Hasan, who recently took charge as the President of Film Federation of India, says that the Oscar race is a long and lengthy one, and there are various layers to the cumbersome submission process. He says, “Around 40-50 years back, the movies were made differently, now the audio visual medium has taken over. Sometimes, filmmakers don’t even submit their individual films for the race, and there we lose out.”
Was Laapata Ladies the right choice?
Defending the federation’s decision to send Kiran Rao’s directorial, Hasan says, “A film that goes to the final race should have an element of indianness, which the movie had aplenty. However, marketing and lobbying too, play a great role in any movie’s Oscar run, and the more robust a team is behind it, the better its chances are. When reminded that the movie was backed by Aamir Khan, Hasan said that sometimes, we have to accept that there were better films from the world, and there can only be 1 submission from each country.
Reflects a broader challenge?
Movie trade expert Girish Wankhede, talking about the ouster said, ” Laapataa Ladies may not have made it to the final list for the Oscars, but this outcome reflects a broader challenge that Indian cinema faces in aligning with the subtlety and calmness that characterize many past winners in the Foreign Film category, such as “The Zone of Interest,” “Roma,” and “Parasite.” These films exemplify a refined approach to storytelling, adhering to a certain international standard that favors understated narratives and nuanced emotional landscapes over melodrama.”
Not the perfect fit?
He added, “The Oscars often celebrate films that convey their messages with a delicate touch, employing a cinematic calmness that allows the themes to resonate deeply without overwhelming the audience. In this context, “Laapataa Ladies,” while an exceptional film in its own right, may not fully meet these specific aesthetic criteria. Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that the film stands out for its authentic representation of Indian culture and its poignant social commentary.”
Change on the way?
However, Girish says that there is a long way to go and we should not lose hope. He says, “As we continue to create and innovate in the realm of filmmaking, there is every reason to believe that Indian cinema will evolve and adapt to meet international standards while retaining its unique voice. The journey toward greater recognition on global platforms is ongoing, and with each passing year, we are likely to see more films that strike a balance between our rich storytelling traditions and the subtleties that resonate with international audiences.”
A glimmer of hope
Jahnu Barua, an Assamese director said there isn’t much issue with the process through which we send our movies, but the system has its limitations. He also added that filmmakers too, have been learning the ropes along the way, so it is just a matter of time before the coveted trophy comes home. However, he added that the process of choosing the right movie should be left to the experts, and we should not constantly doubt the federation’s decision.
Which films have made the cut earlier?
While no Indian film (made by an Indian director, and not Indian origin), has ever won the Oscar, we have managed to clinch the nominations 3 times. These include Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001).
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