The Film Federation of India’s (FFI) decision to select Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards has stirred a heated debate among cinema enthusiasts. Social media has been buzzing with discontent, as many believed that All We Imagine as Light, the Cannes Grand Prix winner, was a more fitting choice for representing India at the Oscars.
While Laapataa Ladies garnered critical acclaim for its narrative and social relevance, the announcement of its selection came as a surprise to many. Fans took to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to express their disappointment, arguing that Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light, with its prestigious Cannes Grand Prix win, would have had a stronger chance of competing on the global stage. The general sentiment online was that All We Imagine as Light, with its international appeal, had the potential to secure India its first Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.
Despite the public uproar, FFI’s jury chairperson Jahnu Barua stood by the decision, emphasizing that Laapataa Ladies was chosen for its ability to represent the essence of Indian society and culture. In an interview with The Indian Express, Barua explained that the panel’s responsibility was to select a film that encapsulates “India’s social systems and ethos,” adding, “The Indianness is very important, and Laapataa Ladies scored on that front.”
According to Barua, the 13-member jury had a rigorous selection process in place. Over the course of 7 to 8 days, they screened all 29 films submitted for consideration. Discussions were ongoing as they reviewed the films, and the final decision took just half a day. He noted that the jury focused on picking a film that best represents the country as a whole, rather than simply choosing one with international recognition.
Ravi Kottakara, FFI President, offered further insight into the jury’s reasoning in an interview with ETimes. He explained that the jury felt All We Imagine as Light was less representative of Indian cinema, saying, “The jury liked Laapataa Ladies, and felt that All We Imagine as Light is like a foreign film and not like Indian cinema.” Kottakara’s remarks reflect a key criterion for selection—the chosen film must reflect India’s unique cultural identity, which Laapataa Ladies managed to capture better in the eyes of the jury.
Laapataa Ladies is set in rural India and revolves around the disappearance of two newly-wed women, highlighting the struggles and resilience of women in the face of societal expectations. Directed by Kiran Rao and co-produced by Aamir Khan, the film weaves a poignant narrative about gender roles, marriage, and autonomy in India’s heartland. Its grounded portrayal of Indian life and the depth with which it handles complex social issues made it stand out to the selection committee, especially when weighed against other contenders.
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On the other hand, All We Imagine as Light has been praised for its experimental storytelling and visual artistry. The film’s success at Cannes had led many to believe that it would be the natural choice for India’s Oscar entry. However, its abstract and unconventional narrative style, which resonated with international audiences, may have played against it when it came to representing India in a more traditional sense.
While the controversy rages on, some in the film industry have supported the FFI’s decision, arguing that Laapataa Ladies is not only a strong film but also a reflection of Indian society’s deep-rooted issues. Its ability to connect with local audiences while delivering a universal message was a crucial factor in its selection. Moreover, critics of All We Imagine as Light argued that its style may not align with what is traditionally expected from an Indian Oscar entry, further justifying the jury’s final call.
As the dust settles, both films will continue to make their mark on audiences, but the conversation surrounding India’s Oscar choices reveals the ongoing tension between showcasing India’s traditional cinematic values and embracing the evolving landscape of international recognition. Whether Laapataa Ladies will successfully break into the Oscars remains to be seen, but its selection has certainly reignited a broader discussion about what it means to represent Indian cinema on the world stage.
