Kiran Rao’s ‘Lapata Ladies’ to represent India at Oscars 2025

Kiran Rao’s film ‘Lapata Ladies’ has earned selection as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, marking a landmark moment for Indian cinema. The Film Federation of India announced the exciting news, and Rao expressed his joy and gratitude. He said, “I am deeply honored and delighted that our film will represent India at the 97th Academy Awards”.
Set in rural India in 2001, ‘Lapata Ladies’ tells a heartwarming story about two brides who accidentally switch places during a train journey. Since its release in March 2024, this light-hearted satire on the patriarchy has garnered critical acclaim. Rao, who returned to directing after a long hiatus, believes the film’s unique storytelling style will resonate with audiences worldwide, just as it has in India.

Indian movie ‘Lapata Ladies’ will take center stage at the 2025 Oscars

Reflecting on his journey, Rao recalls his early days when he first won a competition for his story. He feels Aamir Khan’s interest in turning his work into a film, which led to this extraordinary opportunity. “From the time of writing the story, I realized that the film will be of a different genre,” he shares. His optimism about the film’s success extended to hopes of recognition at international film festivals and the Oscars.
As ‘Lapata Ladies’ prepares for its Oscar journey, Rao acknowledges the hard work of his team, which includes screenwriters Sneha Desai and Divanidhi Sharma. While there are rumors of a sequel, he clarified that no such plans have been confirmed yet. The decision will ultimately depend on Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao.