According to a document circulating on social media, the panel responsible for selecting India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025 lacks female representation.
The Film Federation of India announced on Monday that ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ a film directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, will represent India in the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. The decision offers an opportunity to showcase the significant social issues the film addresses, while also highlighting Indian cinema on a global platform. The Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2025.
The omission of women from the Selection Committee choosing ‘Laapataa Ladies’ for the Oscars has drawn considerable attention. The all-male panel includes notable figures such as:
– Mr. Jahnu Barua (Chairman) – Director
– Mr. Manjunatha S. – Lyrics Writer
– Mr. Santhosh Raman – Art Director
– Mr. Subbiah Nallamuthu – Documentary and Short Film Maker
– Mr. Ravi Jadhav – Producer, Director, Actor
– Mr. G. P. Vijayakumar – Producer
– Mr. Avinash U. Shetty – Actor, Director, Producer
– Mr. Bobby Bedi – Producer
– Mr. Umamaheshwar Rao – Journalist, Producer
– Mr. Bhargav Purohit – Music
– Mr. Praveen KL – Film Editor
– Mr. Longinus Fernandes – Dance Director
– Mr. D.
. Yuvaraj – Audiographer
In a series of social media posts, the stark absence of female voices in the committee has been highlighted as particularly ironic given the film’s subject matter and themes. An opening sentence from the citation for India’s Oscar entry reads, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance.” This statement, juxtaposed with the all-male selection committee, has evoked strong reactions online.
Twitter user Karthik (@beastoftraal) posted, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance” —Opening sentence in the citation for India’s official entry to Oscars. Then you notice the all-male selection committee 🤷” The tweet has since garnered considerable attention and discussion.
The official citation elaborates further on the film’s appeal, stating: “Well-defined, powerful characters in one world. LAAPATAA LADIES (Hindi) captures this diversity perfectly, though in a semi-idyllic world and in a tongue-in-cheek way. It shows you that women can happily desire to be homemakers as well as rebel and be entrepreneurially inclined. A story that can simultaneously be seen as one that needs change, and one that can bring about change. Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) is a film that can engage, entertain, and make sense not just to women in India but universally as well.”
Set against the backdrop of rural India, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ explores themes of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The narrative follows the story of two brides who are inadvertently switched during a train journey in 2001. The cast features Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel in lead roles, delivering a poignant expression of the film’s strong social message. Supporting performances from actors Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma enrich the storyline with diverse perspectives.
The film not only offers an engrossing story but aims to resonate with audiences worldwide. It serves as a vehicle to showcase the complex layers of gender issues within Indian society, blending humor with moments of profound reflection.
Despite the anticipation and excitement surrounding the Oscar nomination, the lack of female representation within the selection committee remains a pressing concern. Critics argue that the inclusion of women in such panels is essential for fair and holistic representations of films that tackle significant social issues, especially those centered on women’s experiences and stories.
Kiran Rao, widely respected for her directorial acumen, alongside producer Aamir Khan, brings forward a film that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. ‘Laapataa Ladies’ promises to make an impactful impression on the international stage, enlightening audiences on the intricacies of gender roles and the struggles and triumphs attached thereto.
As the countdown to the Academy Awards continues, the spotlight shines not only on ‘Laapataa Ladies’ but also on the broader conversation about gender inclusion in the field of cinema. The debate over the composition of the Selection Committee underscores a critical discourse on equality and representation, reflecting broader societal issues mirrored within the very narratives films like ‘Laapataa Ladies’ aim to address.
