Indian Railways on 'Laapataa Ladies' being selected for Oscars: 'Proud to be part of such a wholesome movie'

'Laapataa Ladies' now competes for the Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.

Indian Railways extended its congratulations to the team behind "Laapataa Ladies", which was recently selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Film Federation of India announced the selection on Monday, recognising the film's powerful storytelling. Directed by Kiran Rao, "Laapataa Ladies" features a storyline that revolves around a train journey, making the involvement of Indian Railways an integral part of the plot.

Following the announcement, Indian Railways acknowledged its significant role in the film and shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) celebrating the achievement. The post, which featured a promotional poster of the film’s lead character Phool, played by Nitanshi Goel, read: "O Sajni Re… Bahut Bahut Badhai! Indian Railways is proud to be a part of such a wholesome movie." The ministry further added the message, "Connecting Hearts Forever. Congratulating Team Laapataa Ladies," referencing the pivotal role that trains and stations play in the narrative.

O sajni re Bahut bahut badhai! Indian Railways is proud to be a part of such a wholesome movie. #Oscars2025 #LaapataaLadies pic.twitter.com/8zyFBl0M5j
Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 24, 2024

The film, set in 2001, follows the story of two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey, leading to a series of events that explore themes of identity, societal expectations, and self-discovery. Indian Railways plays a critical role in the film, particularly during its climax, symbolising transitions and connections, both physical and emotional.

The post by Indian Railways sparked a positive reaction online. One user remarked, “Indian movies are incomplete without Indian Railways,” while another noted, “Congratulations to the entire team of "Laapataa Ladies" on this incredible achievement! Indian Railways’ contribution truly adds to the essence of this beautiful film.”

The director, Kiran Rao, previously commented on the difficulty in finding a railway station with the required aesthetic for the film, stating that the transformation of Indian stations made it challenging to find a “shabby-looking” one, due to the government’s modernisation efforts.

"Laapataa Ladies" features a fresh cast, including Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Chhaya Kadam, with a special appearance by Ravi Kishan. The film premiered in theatres on March 1 and was widely acclaimed by audiences and critics alike for its nuanced portrayal of family and societal dynamics. The film is now available for streaming on Netflix.

As the film now competes for the Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category, it joins a prestigious list of Indian films that have sought international recognition in the same category, formerly known as Best Foreign Film.