Tue Dec 17 19:53:41 UTC 2024: ## India’s Oscar Hope “Laapataa Ladies” Misses Shortlist

**New Delhi, December 17, 2024** – India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, “Laapataa Ladies,” has failed to make the shortlist. The film, directed by Kiran Rao, was not among the 15 films selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) from an initial pool of 85 submissions.

While “Laapataa Ladies” is absent from the shortlist, another film with Indian actors, Sandhya Suri’s “Santosh” (representing the UK), has secured a spot. The diverse shortlist also includes films from France, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Palestine, Senegal, and Thailand.

“Laapataa Ladies,” a feminist drama set in rural India, follows two brides who are accidentally switched on their wedding day. Despite receiving positive reviews after its premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and theatrical release in March, it did not advance to the next round of Oscar judging. The Film Federation of India (FFI) controversially selected the film in September amidst social media criticism over their description of Indian women.

The last Indian film to reach the top five nominations in this category was “Lagaan” in 2002. Only “Mother India” and “Salaam Bombay!” have previously made it to the final five. While “Laapataa Ladies” did not make the cut this year, the Oscars will still have an Indian presence in the form of “Santosh.” The final nominations will be announced on January 17, 2025.

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