Mumbai: Bollywood perfectionist Aamir Khan was quite elated after his ex-wife Kiran Rao’s film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ steered its way to the Oscars 2025 and hoped that the movie will bag the Academy Award.
The actor thanked the selection committee of Film Federation of India (FFI) for picking the Kiran-directed movie as India’s official entry to Oscars 2025.
“We are all so happy… I am so proud of Kiran and her entire team. I would like to thank the selection committee of the Film Federation of India, which chose our film to represent India at the Oscars,” Aamir said in a statement.
Aamir, among the producers of ‘Laapataa Ladies’, expressed his gratitude to all those who liked and supported the film.
“My heartfelt gratitude to our audience, our media, and the entire film fraternity, for all the love and support they have given Laapataa Ladies. Thanks to both Jio and Netflix who have been great partners to work with. I am so happy that all our hard-work has paid off. Thank you everyone ,” the actor-producer said.
However, the selection of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ for the Oscars has not gone down well with many film buffs, who took to social media platform X to express their unhappiness.
“The Indian Oscar jury has continued its stupidity streak and selected ‘Laapataa Ladies’ for Oscars instead of Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’. Given her history with the government, this was probably expected. What the f*** even,” opined an X user.
“I loved Laapataa Ladies and believe it’s a supremely well-made film. But sending it to the Oscars as India’s official entry is like handing a batter a Player-of-the-Match Award when you have proof a bowler – Cannes Grand Prix-winner All We Imagine As Light – won you the game,” tweeted another user.
“Looks like the Film Federation of India saved the government’s face by avoiding All We Imagine as Light as India’s Oscar entry. The Cannes Grand Prix was an awkward moment for the govt having to congratulate director Payal Kapadia against whom its fighting a case,” wrote another netizen.
‘Laapataa Ladies’ revolves around two rural Indian brides, who get swapped during a train journey. The film was produced by Kiran’s Kindling Productions, Aamir Khan Productions and Jyoti Deshpande, and distributed by Yash Raj Films.
Released in March this year, the film features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma.
