In a delightful twist on the road to the Academy Awards, Kiran Rao’s heartwarming comedy “Laapataa Ladies” has not only secured India’s official Oscar entry spot but also undergone a Hollywood makeover. The film, now rebranded as “Lost Ladies” for its international journey, is set to charm Academy voters with its blend of humour and social commentary.
Laapataa Ladies is now ‘Lost Ladies’ after entry into Oscars
The transformation was revealed through a striking new poster, proudly declaring “Official entry: India. Best International Feature Film – 97th Academy Awards.” Rising star Nitanshi Goel, who portrays the character Phool, shared the excitement on Instagram, writing, “Presenting the official poster for #LostLadies-a glimpse into the wild, heartfelt journey of Phool and Jaya!”
The film’s selection was no small feat. FFI chairman Jahnu Barua revealed that “Lost Ladies” emerged victorious from a diverse pool of 30 contenders, including heavyweight productions like “Animal,” “Kill,” and “Kalki 2898 AD.” A 13-member jury sifted through an impressive lineup of 12 Hindi, six Tamil, and four Malayalam films before making their decision.
Here’s what Kiran Rao said on Laapataa Ladies:
Director Kiran Rao expressed her elation with characteristic grace: “I am deeply honoured and delighted that our film Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life.”
She added optimistically, “I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India.”
The film, produced by Bollywood heavyweight Aamir Khan, showcases fresh talent including Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Chhaya Kadam, with a scene-stealing cameo by veteran actor Ravi Kishan.
Since its March 1 theatrical release, the movie has been winning hearts through powerful word-of-mouth, suggesting that its journey from “Laapataa” to “Lost” might just lead to Oscar gold.
