Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies represents India at Oscars in Best International Film category.
Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies represents India at Oscars in Best International Film category.
It’s a fact that for many filmmakers and on-screen talents, competing at the Oscars is a wild dream come true. Notably, over the years, India has submitted numerous entries for consideration in the Best International Film category, yet only three were lucky for the nomination status:
Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan. This year, it is Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies chosen by the Film Federation of India to represent the country at the 97th Oscars, scheduled for March next year.
In the backdeop of Kiran Rao’s directorial Laapataa Ladies making its entry at the Oscar race, she emerges as the only eighth female director in Indian cinema to have a film at this prestigious global event. To date, India has submitted 57 films to the Oscars, with only eight directed by women.
Exceptional women in Indian film at the Oscars
*Mira Nair
Mira Nair scripted history as the first female filmmaker to have her film officially submitted as India’s entry to the Oscars. Her groundbreaking film Salaam Bombay not only represented India but also made a significant impact on global cinema, reaching the top five in the Best Foreign Film category at the 61st Academy Awards. Although it ultimately lost to Denmark’s Pelle the Conqueror, Nair’s accomplishment paved the way for future filmmakers, highlighting the potential of Indian cinema on an international stage.
*Kalpana Lajmi
In 1993, Kalpana Lajmi’s film Lajja was selected as India’s official entry for the 66th Academy Awards. While the film addressed important social themes, it never got nominated, showcasing the challenges Indian films face in competing for recognition at the Oscars.
*Deepa Mehta
Deepa Mehta’s film Earth, featuring Aamir Khan, was submitted for Oscar consideration in 1999. Notwithstanding its critical acclaim and powerful storytelling, the film did not receive a nomination from the Academy, underscoring the competitive nature of the awards.
*Anusha Rizvi
Her Peepli Live directorial produced by Aamir Khan Productions, was India’s official entry for the 2010 Oscars. This satirical film, which addressed issues of rural poverty and media sensationalism, captured attention but ultimately did not make it to the nomination list.
*Geetu Mohandas
In 2014, Geetu Mohandas’ debut film Liar’s Dice was submitted as India’s entry for the 87th Academy Awards. The film, which narrates a poignant story of a woman searching for her missing husband, was well-received but did not receive a nomination.
*Rima Das
Rima Das’s directorial Village Rockstars represented India at the Oscars in 2018. This Assamese
coming-of-age drama follows a 10-year-old girl with dreams of becoming a rock star. Despite its heartwarming narrative and critical acclaim, it did not get nominationed.
*Zoya Akhtar
In 2019, Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, featuring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, was submitted for Oscar consideration. Inspired by the lives of street rappers in Mumbai, the film received widespread acclaim but was also not nominated, reflecting the intense competition within the Oscars landscape.
News Edit KV Raman
