The cinematic world recently witnessed a significant milestone as India’s official entry for the Oscars was revealed. The film that achieved this honor is ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ a spellbinding narrative directed by Kiran Rao, featuring numerous fresh faces both on and off the screen. This powerful film adaptation of Biplab Goswami’s story marks the feature film debut of writer Sneha Desai, who has now found herself in the international spotlight.
In an exclusive conversation with mid-day.com, Sneha Desai shared her elation and awe at being part of a project receiving such a high honor. Desai recounted the moments leading up to the announcement, stating she was at Kiran Rao’s house discussing future collaborations when the revelation hit. “For almost two hours, we were discussing something about our future projects that we want to collaborate on. We had no clue what was transpiring,” she revealed with excitement. It was only after they went their separate ways that they discovered the news. “There were so many calls and messages. If we had seen it 5 minutes earlier, we could have celebrated together,” she laughed.
For Desai, making her debut alongside such an extraordinary cast and crew felt like a far-fetched dream turned reality. “Dreaming about the film going to the Oscars, itni toh aukat hai hi nahi,” she admitted, using a colloquial Hindi phrase to express her previous disbelief in achieving such heights. The Oscar selection not only catapulted ‘Laapataa Ladies’ into international acclaim but also emphasized Desai’s belief in the supremacy of substantial content. “It reinforces our faith and belief in great content ruling above all else,” she explained. “The script is the greatest currency filmmakers have, and people like Kiran Rao elevate it to the next level. Films that are true to their essence find their audience, regardless of their origin.
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Discussing the film’s narrative, which is deeply rooted in the rural settings of India, the question arises whether such a story would resonate with an international audience. Desai is confident that it will. “’Laapataa Ladies’ has a very universal audience. Despite its setting in Indian villages, the dreams, and aspirations of the characters are simple and innocent, universally relatable,” she asserted.
Desai also shared her apprehensions and eventual relief during a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. “I sat in the audience with a knot in my stomach, wondering if the subtle humor, minor sarcasm, and culturally rooted traditions would translate well globally,” she recalled. Much to her delight, the audience’s laughter mirrored the reactions from viewers in India, proving that the film’s charm transcends cultural boundaries. “Even while reading the subtitles, they connected. It genuinely has universal appeal,” she concluded.
The announcement of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ as India’s official Oscar entry is not just a personal triumph for Desai but also a testament to the power of storytelling. The movie’s journey from a script to an international platform showcases the endless possibilities when powerful narratives are brought to life by visionary directors like Kiran Rao.
As Desai and her team bask in the glory of this accomplishment, they are ever mindful of the powerful message it sends: quality content has universal resonance and the potential to bridge cultural divides. The story of ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ though intrinsically Indian, embodies a universal theme that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
In the glittering world of cinema, where fame and accolades often overshadow content and narrative, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ stands as a beacon of hope. It reinforces the belief that stories with genuine depth and soul find their place and audience, irrespective of geographical boundaries. This achievement is not just a win for the filmmakers but a victory for substantial storytelling. As the ‘Laapataa Ladies’ team prepares to represent India on the world stage, they carry with them the dreams and aspirations of storytellers everywhere, proving once again that great content truly rules.
