Aamir Khan’s production venture ‘Laapataa Ladies‘, directed by Kiran Rao, has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025 in the Best International Feature category. While promoting the film, Aamir addressed questions about why rural Indian stories seem to resonate with Academy voters and whether the film reinforces regressive stereotypes about the country.
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Aamir clarified that Indian cinema is diverse and not limited to rural themes. He said, “Not all the films we make are set in villages. A lot of our films are accepted worldwide.” He further added that he does not believe audiences today hold major misconceptions about India. “There was a time when they might have thought of India as a land of snake charmers and elephants, but that’s in the past now,” the actor emphasised.
Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel and other ‘Laapataa Ladies’ cast on working with Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan
When asked about the film’s potential to connect with international viewers, Aamir expressed confidence in the global audience’s openness. The actor believes that they deserve more credit as they’ve experienced films from across the globe.
‘Laapataa Ladies’, which has been renamed ‘Lost Ladies’ for international audiences, follows the story of two young brides who are accidentally swapped during a train journey to their in-laws’ homes. Directed by Kiran Rao, the film features Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, Nitanshi Goel, and Ravi Kishan in key roles.
The film’s Oscars campaign received a significant boost with the support of acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón. Reports claim that Cuarón is set to host a screening of ‘Lost Ladies’ in London on December 5.
