Turns out, Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth was the only Hindi film to have reached the top five of the Jury of Film Federation of India.
The other films were Chiyaan Vikram ‘s Thangalaan, Parvathy starrer Ullozhukku in the Malayalam language, and Vaazhai – a children’s Tamil Language film.
Dharmindra Mehra, General Secretary of FFI said, “there were about 29 films that were sent as entries, and the jury shortlisted the top five films which included Srikanth, Thangalaan,Vaazhai, Ullozhukku, and Laapataa Ladies.”
In response to choosing Laapataa Ladies as the official entry to the Oscars, the jury said, “Indian woman are a strange mixture of submission and dominance – they are well-defined, powerful characters, and the film captures this diversity perfectly. The film can engage, entertain and make sense, not just to women in India, but universally as well.”
On the other hand, Kiran, the director of the film, shared her excitement in a statement, saying, “I am deeply honored and beyond delighted that our film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life. Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year – who are equally worthy contenders for this honor.”
The director further added, “My deepest thanks go to Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios for their unwavering support and faith in this vision. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate and talented team of professionals who shared my commitment to telling this story. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire cast and crew, whose immense talent, dedication, and hard work made this film possible. This journey has been one of incredible collaboration and growth. To the audience, your love and support mean the world to us, and it is your belief in this film that continues to inspire us as filmmakers to push creative boundaries. Thank you once again for this incredible honor. We look forward to taking this journey ahead with great enthusiasm.”
Moreover, Sharing her excitement Jyoti Deshpande, President Media and Content business RIL said, “Laapataa Ladies being selected as India’s entry for Oscar is a true testimony of our vision and commitment to Make in India and Show the world…this film has got unlimited love from audiences all over the world already and is one of the most watched films globally on OTT after its unusually long and resilient theatrical run…Jio Studios will do everything in our power to make India proud on a global stage and I thank the Film Federation of India for this honor and privilege.”
Produced by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is an intriguing blend of comedy and social commentary, focusing on themes of identity, societal expectations, and the roles of women in traditional Indian settings.