Bhargav Purohit on Laapataa Ladies

Thirteen men. Nine days. Twenty-nine films. This is what it took for the Film Federation of India (FFI) committee led by chairman Jahnu Barua to pick Laapataa Ladies to represent India at the 97th Academy Awards.

Jury member and prominent Gujarati writer Bhargav Purohit shares that “discussions started to heat up” once the final shortlist was down to five.

“We watched 29 films and came down to five, via the process of elimination,” he says. “Every jury member bid for their favourites according to their expertise.”

Eventually, Kiran Rao’s second directorial venture edged past several blockbusters and critically acclaimed films — including National Award winner for Best Feature Film Aattam (Malayalam) and Payal Kapadia’s Cannes winner All We Imagine as Light — to claim the honour.

Great honour, greater responsibility?

Rao — and the selectors — will now be hoping that the dramedy will bring home India’s first Oscar in the Best International Feature category.

SS Rajamouli’s Telugu-language action-adventure epic RRR made history for India by winning the Oscar for Best Original Song last year. However, it was not put up for Best International Feature.

Purohit is hopeful that the film’s “Indianness” will give it a further nudge. It might, given that India’s three spots in the final five nominees in this category so far have been for Lagaan (2001), Salaam Bombay (1988) and Mother India (1957).

“Not to say that the other entries were not Indian,” Purohit clarifies quickly, “but this one definitely stood higher on the Indianness factor.”

He further explains, “Anyone who’s seen the film knows that the practice of ghunghat (veil) is central to the plot. So, this film would not work if it were based anywhere but in the Indian heartland.”

Talking to Gujarat Samachar Digital, Purohit also remarks on the film’s universal relatability and strong social commentary: “Despite being based in a remote set-up, its commentary is quite universal and relatable. The storytelling is also playful. It talks about a social issue without picking obvious sides. It entertains and educates all together.”

Gujarat’s Oscar dreams

“Some day, maybe. We’re definitely making all the efforts,” Purohit said, when asked if a Gujarati film could one day be India’s entry to the Oscars. He then added: “We could make it, if [Gujarati film-makers] explore the depths of our regional identity. We need to tell the stories that are rooted in us but have a universal appeal. We all consume films in different languages because the content is appealing. It’s time for us to also make films that break cultural boundaries.”

In the meantime, Laapataa Ladies producers Rao, Aamir Khan, and Jyoti Deshpande will be waiting — like the rest of us — until the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces its shortlist for best international feature contenders on December 17.

The Academy’s final nominations will be announced January 17, 2025, and the 2025 Academy Awards will be held Sunday, March 2.