Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies), India’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards, has been ousted from the Oscar race in the Best International Feature category. The film’s star cast — Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam and Sparsh — say they are proud of their film.
India’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards, Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies), directed by Kiran Rao, has been eliminated from the Best International Feature category. The news has left the cast and crew with mixed emotions, ranging from disappointment to pride.
Actor and politician Ravi Kishan, who played the role of sub-inspector Shyam Manohar in the film, expressed his sadness over the news. “I tried speaking with Kiran (Rao, director) but she is probably travelling so baat nahi ho pai (so I couldn’t talk to her). Dukhi to hoon zaroor but khushi hai ki Oscar entry tak to pahuch gaye Ravi Kishan (I am quite sad that the film didn’t cut it, but I am proud that my film could reach the Oscars). Will try again with a good film,” he told Hindustan Times.
Kishan acknowledged that the competition was tough, but he was proud that India’s entry had made it to the Oscars. “It was about the world cinema and we were in competition with everyone aur usmein hum thoda peeche reh gaye (we could not make it). But, we are proud that India got an entry to the Oscars. Udaasi to hoti hai kyonki umeed jagi thi (we had high expectations). It’s a sad day, I got to know about it late as I was in the Parliament.” Chhaya Kadam, who played the role of Manju Mai in the film, reacted to the news with disappointment. “Dekho na, kya karein! (See, what can we do?) I’m really upset. We had envisioned such big things for our film,” she told News 18. However, she remains hopeful about India’s chances at the Oscars next year. “It’s okay. We shall keep fighting for all our upcoming films. We shall keep trying. Next time, we will once again go to the Oscars and go much ahead in the competition.” The news of Laapataa Ladies failing to make the Oscars shortlist has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, with several prominent personalities expressing their disappointment and dismay. Grammy Award-winning musician Ricky Kej took to social media to express his discontent, terming Laapataa Ladies the “wrong choice” to represent India at the prestigious awards. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta also weighed in on the controversy, questioning the Film Federation of India’s “strike rate” after Laapataa Ladies’ exit from the race.