Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s film Lapata Ladies (renamed Lost Ladies) failed to make the shortlist for Oscar 2025 for Best International Feature. The list was revealed on December 17, 2024. On the other hand, Guneet Monga’s Anuja advanced in the live action short film category. Additionally, the UK-based film Santosh featuring Indian actors has successfully made it to the shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category.
While Lapata Ladies did not make the Oscars 2025 shortlist, Guneet Monga Kapoor’s Anuja secured a spot in the live-action shorts film category. The film highlights the issue of child labor in the textile industry. Meanwhile, UK production and the country’s official entry this year Santosh also made it to the shortlist.
Entries from 85 countries have been narrowed down to only 15 films in the Oscar shortlist. This year’s selections include titles like Emilia Perez, The Girl with the Needle and From Ground Zero.
Kiran Rao’s upcoming film Lapata Ladies tells the story of two young brides from rural India who are separated from their husbands. The film was selected as India’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in September 2024.
The 13-member selection committee, led by Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Baruah, praised the film for its portrayal of the diverse experiences of Indian women.
Selected from 29 productions in various Indian languages, including Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light, which won the Cannes Grand Prix, Lapata Ladies emerged as the top selection.
Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have been actively promoting the film in the US, including notable events such as the BAFTA campaign screening hosted by Alfonso Cuaron.
Set in the fictional state of Nirmal Pradesh in 2001, the story revolves around two brides who are accidentally swapped during a train journey. One bride is taken home by the wrong groom, while the other is left at the railway station. A police officer, Kishan (played by Ravi Kishan), takes charge of the investigation. The film is based on the award-winning story by Biplab Goswami.
Missing Ladies was produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande under the banners of Aamir Khan Productions, Kindling Pictures and Jio Studios.
Released in March 2024, the film stars Nitanshi Goyal, Pratibha Ranta and Sparsh Srivastava along with Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam and Geeta Agarwal Sharma.
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