Laapataa Ladies Out of Oscars Race; Internet Wants FFI Dissolved
India’s Oscar Hopes Dashed: ‘Laapataa Ladies‘ Snub Sparks Outrage
Frustration mounts online as Kiran Rao’s film fails to make the shortlist for Best International Feature Film, reigniting debate over the Film Federation of India’s selection process.
The academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences unveiled the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film award at the 2025 Oscars on Tuesday, leaving Indian cinephiles reeling. Absent from the list of 15 contenders was India’s official entry,”Laapataa ladies,” directed by Kiran Rao. The snub has sparked a wave of online anger, with many blaming the film Federation of India (FFI) for what they see as a “humiliating” oversight.
“Laapataa Ladies,” a critically acclaimed film about two brides mistakenly swapped in rural 1990s India, was unanimously chosen by the FFI as India’s official entry earlier this year.Though, the selection itself drew controversy, with many arguing that Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film “All We Imagine As Light” was a more deserving candidate.
Now, with ”Laapataa Ladies” failing to even make the shortlist, those criticisms have resurfaced with renewed vigor.
Ladies1734490991032_1734490991238.jpeg” alt=”Laapataa Ladies is out of the Oscars 2025 race.” title=”Laapataa Ladies is out of the Oscars 2025 race.”>“FFI snubbed ‘All We imagine As Light,’ destroying our chances to be on the list,” one Twitter user lamented. “The Film Federation of India requires a full revamp. The ones who are there now should step down and let others who understand and know the art of cinema take over.”
Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, “guess what is Missing or Laapata from the Oscars shortlist. Future lesson for that confederacy of dunces of Film Federation of India committee – An oscar campaign for your beloved desi film can’t start in october. ‘All We Imagine As Light’ had a direct path to an Oscar nod.”
The FFI’s track record in selecting India’s Oscar entries has been under scrutiny in recent years, with many criticizing the body’s choices and thier subsequent lack of success at the Academy awards.
“Film federation of India does it again; the cinema lovers of India should protest,” wrote one film fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “A shattering humiliation for India. A calamitous defeat for the Film Federation that could be seen coming from afar.If the only measure of success is to make choices that make you competitive, they have utterly & entirely failed. FFI needs an overhaul & people need to be fired.”
While “Laapataa Ladies” missed the cut, there is a glimmer of hope for Indian cinema. ”Santosh,” a UK-based Hindi film by Sandhya Suri,featuring Indian actors shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar,has secured a spot on the Oscars shortlist as the UK’s official entry.
The Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for march 10, 2025.
India’s Oscar Hopes Dashed: ‘Laapataa ladies’ Snub sparks Outrage
Frustration mounts online as kiran Rao’s film fails to make the shortlist for Best International Feature Film, reigniting debate over the Film Federation of India’s selection process.
The Academy of Motion pictures, Arts and Sciences unveiled the shortlist for the best International Feature Film award at the 2025 Oscars on Tuesday, leaving Indian cinephiles reeling.Absent from the list of 15 contenders was India’s official entry,”Laapataa Ladies,” directed by kiran Rao.The snub has sparked a wave of online anger, with many blaming the Film Federation of India (FFI) for what they see as a “humiliating” oversight.
“Laapataa Ladies,” a critically acclaimed film about two brides mistakenly swapped in rural 1990s India, was unanimously chosen by the FFI as India’s official entry earlier this year. Though the selection itself drew controversy, with many arguing that Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film “All We Imagine As Light” was a more deserving candidate.
Now, with “Laapataa Ladies” failing to even make the shortlist, those criticisms have resurfaced with renewed vigor.
“FFI snubbed ‘All We imagine As Light,’ destroying our chances to be on the list,” one Twitter user lamented. “The Film Federation of India requires a full revamp. The ones who are there now shoudl step down and let others who understand and know the art of cinema take over.”
Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, “guess what is Missing or Laapata from the Oscars shortlist. Future lesson for that confederacy of dunces of Film Federation of India committee – An oscar campaign for your beloved desi film can’t start in october. ‘All We Imagine As Light’ had a direct path to an Oscar nod.”
The FFI’s track record in selecting India’s Oscar entries has been under scrutiny in recent years, with many criticizing the body’s choices and their subsequent lack of success at the Academy awards.
“Film federation of India does it again; the cinema lovers of India should protest,” wrote one film fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “A shattering humiliation for India. A calamitous defeat for the Film Federation that could be seen coming from afar.If the only measure of success is to make choices that make you competitive,they have utterly & entirely failed. FFI needs an overhaul & people need to be fired.”
While “Laapataa Ladies” missed the cut, there is a glimmer of hope for Indian cinema.”Santosh,” a UK-based Hindi film by Sandhya Suri, featuring Indian actors Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, has secured a spot on the Oscars shortlist as the UK’s official entry.
The Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 10, 2025.