Aamir Khan defends Laapataa Ladies against claims of backward mentality as it heads for Oscars

Aamir Khan has come to the defense of Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, which has been selected as India's official entry for the Oscars 2025 in the Best International Feature category. During promotional activities for the film, Khan addressed criticisms suggesting that it perpetuates a "backward mentality" of India and discussed the reasons behind the popularity of rural-themed films among Academy voters.

In an interview with Khan remarked, "Not all the films we make are set in villages. Many of our films are embraced globally. I believe audiences no longer hold significant misconceptions about India. While there may have been a time when people viewed India as a land of snake charmers and elephants, that perception is outdated. Today, I don't think there are misconceptions to that extent."

When asked about the film's potential resonance with international audiences, he expressed confidence, stating, "We should give them more credit; they’ve seen films from all over the world."

Laapataa Ladies, which has been retitled Lost Ladies for international audiences, narrates the story of two newlywed brides who are accidentally exchanged during a train journey to their in-laws. The film features a cast that includes Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, Nitanshi Goel, and Ravi Kishan.

Although it struggled at the box office initially, it later gained traction on streaming platforms. The film's team has received a significant boost in their Oscar campaign with support from acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón, who hosted a screening of the film on December 5 in London.

Khan acknowledged the responsibility that comes with representing Indian cinema on a global stage, stating, "It's a huge responsibility for an Indian film because you're selected from thousands made each year. We're thrilled that our film has been chosen as India's official entry. If it gets nominated or wins, it could open up new audiences who might not have heard of it before." He added, "Indians are passionate about films; approximately 1.4 billion people are hoping this film wins. Fingers crossed."

The selection of Laapataa Ladies as India's entry follows its competition against numerous other films and reflects Kiran Rao's dedication to storytelling that resonates both locally and internationally. The film's narrative explores themes of identity and women's roles in traditional Indian society through a comedic lens.