The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences revealed on Tuesday the 15 films that make up the shortlist for the 2025 Oscars' Best International Feature Film category. From Ground Zero and Emilia Perez were among the well-known names on the list, but Laapataa Ladies, India's official entry, was excluded. Many the online fans expressed their outrage at the Hindi film's failure to even make the shortlist, much less be nominated, accusing the Film Federation of India of "humiliating" the nation.
Earlier this year, Kiran Rao's film Laapataa Ladies was unanimously chosen as India's official submission for the Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film category. Many people thought that Payal Kapadia's Cannes-winning picture All We Imagine As Light was a better candidate, therefore the pick caused a bit of debate.
Following Laapataa Ladies' exclusion from the shortlist, the same rumours have surfaced once more. "FFI destroyed our chances of being on the list by ignoring AWIAL. The Indian Film Federation needs a complete makeover. One tweet on Wednesday morning stated, "Those who are currently there should resign so that those who are knowledgeable about the craft of filmmaking can take over."
India’s track record at the Oscars has been a subject of contention for years. Despite being one of the largest film-producing nations, the country has only made it to the final nomination list in the Best International Feature Film category a handful of times. Critics argue that the FFI often overlooks films with global appeal, opting instead for choices that fail to resonate with international audiences.
This year, the decision to send Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning whether it was the right choice to represent the country.
As the backlash grows, the demand for reform within the FFI has gained momentum. Film critics, industry insiders, and fans are urging for a more transparent and inclusive selection process that prioritizes films with the potential to compete internationally.
