The nation of India has seen only one of their features (2001’s Lagaan) nominated for Best International Feature Film in the 21st century. Prior to that, you have to go back to 1988 and Salaam Bombay! Some prognosticators (including this one) thought they had a great shot at inclusion this year via All We Imagine as Light. Payal Kapadia’s acclaimed drama has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic, and took the Grand Prix (essentially first runner-up) at the Cannes Film Festival behind Anora. There was some suspicion, however, that India might not go with it as their pick due to controversial subject matter.
That was proven correct today as the selection body went with Laapataa Ladies. From Kiran Rao, the dramedy originally was seen at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival. It came out in April on Netflix. The cast includes Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan.
Like Light, the Ladies Tomato meter is also perfect. While certainly positive, the reviews are not near as effusive. Last year, France was seen as dropping the ball by choosing The Taste of Things instead of Anatomy of a Fall. If India’s pick ends up making the shortlist, I’ll be singing a different tune. This does potentially appear to be their unforced error for the 97th Academy Awards. It is reminiscent of the 95th ceremony when India inexplicably decided against RRR and it probably would have made the nominated quintet. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…
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