Why Cannes Winner ‘All We Imagine as Light’ Was Snubbed by India’s Oscar Committee in Favor of ‘Laapataa Ladies’

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of global cinema, I find myself both intrigued and slightly exasperated by the annual Indian Oscar selection process. It’s akin to watching a thrilling Bollywood drama unfold, with twists, turns, and unexpected outcomes that keep me on the edge of my seat.

Every autumn, the enigmatic Indian Academy Award panel captures the spotlight by selecting their annual nominee, a selection process that’s as riveting and full of suspense as any hit Hindi film production.

year after year, the Film Federation of India (FFI), the powerful organization governing the committee, assembles a panel of experienced film industry professionals to review the year’s cinematic productions and select one that will represent India on a global scale. Yet, despite boasting the world’s most active film industry, India has frequently missed out on opportunities in the international feature film competition. A prominent instance of this is Ritesh Batra’s “The Lunchbox,” which was overlooked in 2013 despite receiving widespread critical acclaim.

There were some questions when “RRR” wasn’t chosen as India’s entry for the Oscars in 2022. However, the Film Federation of India salvaged their reputation after they submitted Pan Nalin’s “Last Film Show,” which made it to the international features shortlist. Interestingly, “RRR” was submitted separately and ended up winning the Oscar for best original song. This time, though, the omission of “All We Imagine as Light,” a film that marked the first Indian production to compete at Cannes in three decades and was also shortlisted by France’s Oscars committee, may establish a new trend.

2023 saw Kiran Rao’s film “Laapataa Ladies” (or “Lost Ladies”) as a notable release, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and enjoying commercial success in India. However, some may find it underwhelming compared to expectations, particularly those not deeply involved in the Indian film industry. This is largely due to the widespread buzz surrounding “All We Imagine as Light,” which broke a 30-year-old Cannes competition record for India, winning the Grand Jury Prize and catapulting its director Payal Kapadia into the limelight from being a documentarian to an acclaimed auteur.

Kapadia has made history as the first Indian female director to receive the Grand Prize at Cannes, a feat that could make her film one of the most extensively distributed independent Indian films ever. Deals have been struck in the U.S., U.K., and France – countries with the greatest number of Academy voters – for the distribution of this movie. The selection of the film as India’s Oscar nominee seemed almost certain, particularly after it was listed among the French Oscar shortlist. However, the French committee opted for Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” which means that “All We Imagine as Light” is now eligible for consideration by India’s own committee.

It seems that “Laapataa Ladies” garnered India’s backing for several reasons. In addition to its notable cinematic qualities, one factor may be the substantial resources of one of its producers, Jio Studios, which is owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani and part of Reliance Industries Limited, one of India’s largest conglomerates. Another key player is Aamir Khan, who was nominated for an Oscar for “Lagaan.” Given the high costs associated with campaigning, “Laapataa Ladies” will likely need the collective influence of its producers to make it onto the international feature shortlist. Furthermore, the film is currently streaming on Netflix, contributing to its widespread accessibility and popularity.

Speaking about the Oscar selection, Jyoti Deshpande, president of media and content business at Reliance Industries Limited, expressed: “The selection of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ as India’s entry for the Oscars is a genuine reflection of our vision and dedication to produce in India and present it to the world… This movie has received boundless affection from global audiences since its extended and tenacious run in cinemas, making it one of the most widely viewed films globally on streaming platforms like Jio Studios after its remarkable theatrical performance… We at Jio Studios will work tirelessly to make India shine on a global stage. I extend my gratitude to the Film Federation of India for this honor and privilege.

Among the other Indian films that didn’t qualify for the awards, Anand Ekarshi’s “Aattam” was crowned the best film this year at India’s National Film Awards and was a strong contender – but not an automatic choice – as unlike in some countries such as Israel, the national prize winner in India does not have an automatic pass to the Oscars.

This year, each of India’s leading topics revolved around women’s themes. The films “All We Imagine as Light” and “Laapataa Ladies” focus on female empowerment, while “Aattam” explores the consequences of a sexual assault case.

According to the FFI’s statement, “Indian women exhibit an unusual blend of submissiveness and assertiveness. The movie ‘Laapataa Ladies’ (Hindi) beautifully encapsulates this complexity, albeit in a playful and somewhat idealized setting. It portrays women who are content to be homemakers while also displaying a rebellious streak and an entrepreneurial spirit. This story can be interpreted as one that calls for change, but it also has the potential to inspire change. ‘Laapataa Ladies’ (Hindi) is a film that can resonate with women in India, as well as women worldwide, by engaging them, entertaining them, and making them think.

Despite boasting a wealth of cinematic history and an abundant film production, India has only managed to get three of its submissions shortlisted for the final Oscar nominations – “Mother India” (1957), “Salaam Bombay!” (1988) and “Lagaan” (2001). The country is yet to secure its first victory in the international category, a gap that intensifies the anticipation surrounding the annual selection process.

Rao expressed his heartfelt gratitude and immense joy as our movie ‘Laapataa Ladies’ was selected as India’s entry to the Academy Awards. This honor serves as proof of the hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm of my entire team, who breathed life into this tale. Throughout history, cinema has served as a potent means to bridge hearts, shatter barriers, and stimulate profound dialogues. I eagerly anticipate that this film will strike a chord with global audiences, much like it did in India.

2024-09-23 14:49

Why Cannes Winner ‘All We Imagine as Light’ Was Snubbed by India’s Oscar Committee in Favor of ‘Laapataa Ladies’

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