Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies becomes Lost Ladies for Oscars 2025

Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the category of Best International Feature Film. This marks a significant achievement for the film, as it now has the chance to compete for one of the most prestigious awards in global cinema. The movie, which is produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios, features a talented cast including Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Nitanshi Goel, Ravi Kishan, and Chhaya Kadam.

A New Title for the Oscars

On November 12, 2024, Pratibha Ranta, one of the lead actors in the film, shared the official poster for the movie’s Oscar campaign on social media. Interestingly, the film’s title has been changed from Laapataa Ladies to Lost Ladies for its Oscar run. In the caption, Pratibha introduced fans to the film, writing, “Presenting the official poster for *Lost Ladies*—a glimpse into the wild, heartfelt journey of Phool and Jaya!” The post has created a buzz among fans, who are excited about the film’s international recognition. The comment section was filled with love and support, with many fans expressing their joy using heart and eye emojis.

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Pratibha Ranta’s Oscar Dreams

Pratibha Ranta, who plays one of the lead characters, Phool, has shared her excitement about the film's Oscar nomination. In an interview, she mentioned that during Diwali, she prayed a little extra for an Oscar. She said, “This Diwali, I am praying a little extra for an Oscar. But that prayer has always been part of my daily routine. Before I sleep every night, I thank God.” She added that when she first heard about the film’s selection for the Oscars, she was in a meeting and initially couldn’t believe it. “For a moment, I was like, what has happened? It took me a while to actually comprehend it. I’m now waiting for that day when we go there, and we stand at that place. I really want to experience that moment,” she said, clearly thrilled by the possibility of the film’s success at the Oscars.

Plot of Lost Ladies

Set in the year 2001, Lost Ladies (formerly Laapataa Ladies) tells the story of an accidental mix-up during a train journey. Deepak, a newlywed, mistakenly takes the wrong bride, Jaya, home after a crowded train ride. His real wife, Phool, is left stranded at a station. Phool’s journey then becomes one of independence as she navigates the challenges of being alone, while Jaya, escaping from an abusive marriage, begins to form a new bond with Deepak’s family. As the story unfolds, Phool eventually reunites with Deepak, and Jaya pursues her dream of getting an education.

The heartwarming narrative of Lost Ladies touches on themes of personal growth, resilience, and the importance of education. The film is a slice-of-life drama that portrays how unexpected events can change people’s lives, leading them to discover their true selves and aspirations.

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Competition for the Oscars

Lost Ladies was chosen for the Oscars over several strong contenders, including Animal starring Ranbir Kapoor, the Malayalam film Attam (which won a National Award), the Cannes-winning All We Imagine As Light, Article 370 starring Yami Gautam, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and big-budget films like Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, and Hanu-Man featuring Teja Sajja.