SHIMLA/DELHI: Shimla's Pratibha Ranta might have stolen hearts as the lead in Laapataa Ladies, but India’s Oscar dreams hit yet another roadblock. Despite being a well-made, engaging film that entertained millions on Netflix, the movie failed to make it to the Oscars 2025 shortlist for the Best International Feature Film.
And the backlash has been spontaneous and swift.
Over 17 million viewers of Laapataa Ladies have taken to social media to vent their frustration, slamming the selection process that year after year sends films with limited global appeal to represent India.
“This was never going to win the jury's vote,” a frustrated cinephile tweeted. “The poster alone—with its retro-collage design and comic fonts—screams mainstream Bollywood, not the layered artistic cinema the Oscars usually honour.”
The film, directed by Kiran Rao, was lauded for its humour, nuanced storytelling, and relatable Indian quirks like the hilariously named 'Pateela' railway station. But therein lies the problem.
As one critic pointed out, “Such elements fail to connect with an international jury. It’s not their humour, and they don’t get the context.”
The shortlist this year is dominated by films that ooze depth, grit, and artistic brilliance.
Titles like Brazil’s I’m Still Here, Denmark’s The Girl with the Needle, and Palestine’s From Ground Zero showcase the type of storytelling that resonates with the Academy.
But India’s obsession with choosing films that are “entertaining to us” is costing us dearly.
Film enthusiasts argue that we need to stop pandering to the Bollywood mainstream bubble and start nominating films that hold uncompromising artistic value.
“This is not about budget or star power. It’s about the kind of films we send to the Oscars,” wrote another critic.
“Year after year, we sideline low-budget masterpieces and push big-name films that don’t speak the Academy’s language.”
While Laapataa Ladies deserved every bit of its Netflix success, the consensus is clear: it was the wrong choice to carry India’s Oscar hopes.
When a film’s charm is deeply rooted in local humour and cultural nuances, it’s bound to falter on the global stage.
“Until we move past the poor-India narrative or films with limited appeal abroad, we’ll keep seeing our dreams shatter,” a disheartened cinephile concluded.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: India’s 1.4 billion voices want better representation on the world stage. Because this isn’t just about films—it’s about a country’s creative legacy.
