Laapataa Ladies has not made it into the Shortlist recently unveiled by the Academy Awards. The film backed by Aamir Khan Production and directed by Kiran Rao was India’s hope into the international film awards for the International feature film category. The film was chosen by a group of 13-member headed by Assamese director Jahnu Barua unanimously citing how the film showcases a diverse take on the country.

The film is led by Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta and Sparsh Shrivastav, alongside Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma. Laapataa Ladies’ world premiere took place at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and has travelled many film festivals since. Its reception in India by fans and critics after its theatrical release and OTT release was positive. The film’s refreshing story and the charming performances have also been praised for their work.

The story set in 2001 is about two brides who get swapped on the day of their wedding during a train ride and how their life is changed due to the one incident. It exposes them to a world they had never seen before, while also giving them a new direction forward. Re-titled as Lost Ladies for the International awards season, the film is based on a story by Biplab Goswami. While the screenplay and dialogues are written by Sneha Desai some of the additional dialogues have also been credited to Divyanidhi Sharma.

SEE ALSO: All We Imagine As Light Review: Payal Kapadia Showcases Sour But Soulful Side Of Mumbai And It’s People

The film was chosen from a list of 29 films including Malayalam National Award winner Aattam, Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light, Hindi film Srikanth, Tamil movie Vaazhai, Thangalaan, Malayalam film Ullozhukku and many others. The selection has also seen much backlash from fans as All We Imagine As Light by Payal Kapadia was also a strong contender for the same. The latter has also led to quite the chatter on the international platform with more nominations including that of Golden Globes for Best Director.

With Laapataa Ladies being dropped from the Oscar race, the question about India’s official entry selection process has once again come to the forefront. Many fans are displeased with the committee which each year and failed to secure a spot for Indian films on the international platform. Since 1957 only three films have received an actual nomination for Indian feature film which includes, Mother India, Lagaan and Salaam Bombay. Among the last five years the submission including Laapataa Ladies were 2018, Last Film Show, Pebbles, Jallikattu. Out of the list only Gujrati film, Last Film Show made it to the Oscars Shortlist

On the other hand, some of the international films that went on to win big at the Oscars included Parasite, Drive my Car, Roma and Another Round, all of which have a different tone and setting which is unlike that of India’s big screen presence. Thomas Vinterberg’s black comedy-drama Another Round led by Mads Mikkelsen is about escaping the monotony of middle age, an experience that transcends the national bounds. Something that can move the audience irrespective of where they are.

SEE ALSO: Santosh Review: Shahana Goswami’s Film Is One Of The Finest Police Dramas

On the other hand, Oscar winner Drive My Car explored themes like aging, grief, life and death, friendship, art, and finding meaning in life irrespective of the lead character being a veteran stage director. Meanwhile, Parasite which famously became the first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture, was about the class difference faced in every country, in every aspect of life.

While Laapataa Ladies was not shortlisted another film set in India, led by Indian actors Santosh was shortlisted from the UK. Santosh’s theme falls right into the category that transcends national bounds, it is about prejudice, empowerment, media propaganda and more. Another film that fits the same category is All We Imagine As Light. The film not only explores the stagnant life of a middle-aged woman but also compares it to that of a younger generation while examining it in a different setting which moves with today’s need to slow down and settle for a slow life.

Laapataa Ladies has much to offer, but it isn’t offering it to an international audience which is far from the Indian nuances that are focused on characters more than the society it is set in.

Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India