PremiumLaapataa Ladies left out of Oscars 2025 shortlist; All We Imagine As Light supporters express frustration
India's Laapataa Ladies missed the Oscars shortlist, prompting fans to demand a reform of the Film Federation of India.
Last Updated: 01.43 PM, Dec 18, 2024
Oscar organizers revealed on Tuesday, December 17, the 15 films that will compete for the Best International Feature Film trophy in 2025. The list has some familiar names like Emilia Perez and From Ground Zero, but India's official entry, Laapataa Ladies, wasn't there. The lack of nomination or shortlisting for the Hindi film has angered many internet viewers, who accuse the Film Federation of India of "humiliating" India.
India's official entry Laapataa Ladies left out, sparking outrage
Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies, the Indian entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards earlier this year, received unanimous votes. Many thought that All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia and winner of the Cannes Film Festival, was a more deserving nominee; therefore, the choice did stir up some debate.
The same rumblings have started up again following Laapataa Ladies' elimination from consideration for the shortlist. A post on X (previously Twitter) revealed that FFI rejected All We Imagine As Light, thereby eliminating its chances of inclusion. A complete overhaul is necessary for the Film Federation of India. The current leadership should resign so film buffs can take over.
Social media outcry over Laapataa Ladies and FFI's choices
Another user asserts that the Film Federation of India committee's coalition of "dimwits" should learn this lesson, as no Indian film is deserving of an Oscar campaign that kicks off in October. Nominations for All We Imagine As Light were inevitable.
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Indian film enthusiasts demand protest and resignation from FFI leadership
The Film Federation of India is an autonomous organization that the Academy has charged with choosing India's official Oscar entry. Many demanded the dissolution of the body because of the scandals surrounding India's official picks in the past few years and its subsequent poor Oscar performance.
One film enthusiast shared that the Film Federation of India is repeating its actions, and suggested that Indian cinema lovers should protest. One voiced the agreement by calling it a crushing embarrassment for India, whereas others called it a disastrous loss for the Film Federation, which was obvious from a distance. If being competitive is the sole measure of success, then they have completely and totally failed. One user also shared that it's time to fire some staff and give FFI a makeover.
Kiran Rao directed Laapataa Ladies, which starred Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and newcomers Sparsh Srivastava, Pratibha Ranta, and Nitanshi Goel. The critically praised film took place in rural India in the 1990s and depicted the exchange of brides. Payal Kapadia wrote All We Imagine As Light, a tribute to Mumbai's working class. Nominated for two Golden Globes and a Critics Choice Award, the film starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridhu Haroon took home the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
India's optimism with the British entry Santosh at the Oscars
However, India has some reasons to be optimistic. The official British entry for the Academy Awards, Santosh, a Hindi film written and directed by Sandhya Suri and set in the UK, features Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, two actors from India.