Oscar organizers announced on Tuesday, December 17, the 15 films vying for the Best International Feature Film award in 2025. Among the contenders are notable titles such as Emilia Perez and From Ground Zero; however, India's official submission, Laapataa Ladies, was notably absent. This omission has incited considerable backlash from online audiences, who accuse the Film Federation of India of "humiliating" the nation.

The exclusion of Laapataa Ladies has ignited controversy

Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies, which represented India in the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards earlier this year, garnered unanimous support. Many believed that All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia and a winner at the Cannes Film Festival, was a more suitable candidate, leading to significant debate over the selection.

The discontent has resurfaced following Laapataa Ladies' removal from the shortlist. A post on X (formerly Twitter) indicated that the Film Federation of India rejected All We Imagine As Light, thus eliminating its opportunity for nomination. There are calls for a complete reform within the Film Federation of India, with demands for the current leadership to step down to allow for new voices in the film community.

Social media reactions to Laapataa Ladies and the decisions of the FFI

One user remarked that the Film Federation of India committee, described as a coalition of "dimwits," should take heed of this situation, as no Indian film is worthy of an Oscar campaign that begins in October. The nominations for All We Imagine As Light were seen as a foregone conclusion.

Check out a few other posts below:

Indian film enthusiasts demand protest and resignation from FFI leadership

Indian film aficionados are calling for protests and the resignation of the leadership of the Film Federation of India (FFI). This autonomous organization has been tasked by the Academy with selecting India's official entry for the Oscars. In light of recent scandals related to India's official selections and their subsequent lackluster performances at the Oscars, many are advocating for the dissolution of the FFI.

One film enthusiast remarked that the FFI is repeating its past mistakes and suggested that Indian cinema supporters should take to the streets in protest. Another individual echoed this sentiment, describing the situation as a significant embarrassment for India, while others characterized it as a clear failure for the FFI. If competitiveness is the only benchmark for success, then the organization has undeniably fallen short. Additionally, one user proposed that it is time to overhaul the staff and revamp the FFI.

Kiran Rao directed the film Laapataa Ladies, featuring actors such as Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and newcomers Sparsh Srivastava, Pratibha Ranta, and Nitanshi Goel. This critically acclaimed film, set in rural India during the 1990s, explores the theme of bride exchange. Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light pays homage to Mumbai's working class and has garnered nominations for two Golden Globes and a Critics Choice Award. The film, starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridhu Haroon, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

India's optimism with the British entry Santosh at the Oscars

Despite the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope for India at the Oscars with the British entry Santosh. This Hindi film, written and directed by Sandhya Suri and set in the UK, features Indian actors Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar.

Read Also: Ananya Panday Reflects on Deepika Padukone's Supportive Role During Gehraiyaan