Laapataa Ladies: FFI's Oscar Selection Committee Under Fire After Controversial Citation

Laapataa Ladies At Oscar 2025: The Film Federation of India chose the Kiran Rao directorial among the 29 entries as India's official entry to the Academy Awards. The submission, however, does not guarantee a nomination and would be competing with films from several other countries to bag a nomination in the Best International Film at the Oscars. While several social media users hailed the selection, some pointed out issues with the reason cited by the film federation. The wording of the citation has raised contention on social media. 

Film Federation of India citation for choosing Laapataa Ladies as India's Oscar entry 

The Film Federation of India is in the spotlight after announcing Laapataa Ladies as India's official entry to the Oscars. A leaked document allegedly from the film federation shared the official citation for selecting the film has surfaced online. The satirical drama is set up against the narrative of smashing the patriarchy.

In their official document, the all-men jury cited, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance. Well-defined, powerful characters in one world, Laapataa Ladies (Hindi) captures this diversity perfectly, though in a semi-idyllic world and in a tongue-in-cheek way.” This particular line has sparked outrage on social media. Several social media users have slammed the film body labelling the wording as ‘sexist’.

Netizens react to Film Federation's citation

Social media users also pointed out the problem of an all-men jury making important decision. A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Indian women mix of submission, dominance: Laapataa Ladies Oscar citation slammed (sic).” Another shared, “Probably ChatGpt wrote that Jury's citation for Laapata Ladies (sic).” Another commented, “That citation is so offensive that it's funny.” A user points out, "If your opening line is "Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance" then perhaps it's time to pause and consider whether you should be making this argument at all."

The Hindi film, a light-hearted satire on patriarchy, was chosen from a list of 29 films, including Bollywood hit Animal, Malayalam National Award winner Aattam and Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light. The 13-member select committee headed by Assamese director Jahnu Barua “unanimously” decided on Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan and Rao, for reckoning in the best international film category at the Academy Awards. Laapataa Ladies, which was released in March to universal praise from the critics, is a heartwarming and empowering take on two brides in rural India in 2001 who accidentally get swapped during a train journey. The film is backed by Rao’s Kindling Productions, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios.

(With inputs from PTI)