India’s ‘Lost Ladies’ Team Talks Oscar Campaign Strategy, Netflix Success

As a seasoned movie critic who’s seen my fair share of films from around the globe, I must say that “Lost Ladies” has left an indelible mark on me. The film’s unique narrative, coupled with its poignant exploration of women’s empowerment and identity, is nothing short of captivating.


The Indian submission for the Oscars titled “Lost Ladies” (Laapataa Ladies) has garnered considerable recognition on Netflix, and its directors Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) are hopeful about their chances during the upcoming awards season.

The film ‘Lost Ladies’ was selected instead of Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner, ‘All We Imagine as Light’, as India’s entry for the Oscars. Rao expressed his joy at being mentioned alongside a film that won at Cannes. He feels that films are subjective and believes that the jury must have found our film deserving, as it was unanimously chosen. Additionally, he thinks that the movie is quite pertinent as it stimulates discussions on topics close to our hearts.

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on a captivating movie that I recently watched. This masterpiece was jointly produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions, and Kindling Pictures, and it transports us back to rural India in the year 2001. The plot revolves around two newlywed brides, both adorned in identical crimson veils, whose identities are inadvertently switched during a train journey en route to their respective husbands’ villages post-wedding. This intriguing tale initially premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before it went on to have a triumphant run in Indian cinemas.

Rao pointed out that although the movie has a particular narrative, it is universally relatable as it addresses the shared experiences of women worldwide. It explores themes like women’s liberation, self-determination, and discovering one’s personal identity and purpose.

Deshpande emphasized the movie’s genuine portrayal of cultural traditions, stating that it tackles women’s empowerment while still maintaining reverence for Indian customs. “The main characters in our film are on a journey of self-discovery,” she explained, “which can also be seen as lost women symbolically, without explicitly criticizing or demeaning the men who are part of their environment. Instead, these women embody their culture, but in a way that reflects their individuality, which makes the narrative more empowering, inspiring, and uplifting than if it were presented differently.

The team behind the movie is orchestrating its Oscar bid with a meticulous plan, as stated by Deshpande: “We’re putting in the hard work.” Given the movie’s modest scale, they are investing all the resources they can to maximize its potential. However, since their budget isn’t limitless like larger films, they are cautious about how they allocate their funds. Shelter PR, who handled the TIFF campaign, has been brought on board for the U.S. Academy push. Meanwhile, Natasha Mudhar, founder of The World We Want, is overseeing the U.K. campaign. The strategy involves promoting both physical screenings and the movie’s availability on Netflix.

Deshpande pointed out that the movie had a remarkable run on Netflix, although exact viewership numbers were not revealed. She stated that “it broke numerous records by staying among the top three most-watched films for several consecutive weeks.

Over a span of 67 years, India has only been nominated three times in the Oscars’ international feature category without winning. However, Deshpande remains optimistic about their prospects: “This year has seen numerous firsts, and I believe if any film can achieve it, this one could. It showcases modern India and women empowerment. Notably, it is directed by a woman filmmaker, led by a female studio head, boasting excellent acting and music that has struck a chord with audiences. So, we urge everyone, every Indian who supports us, as well as anyone who’s seen the movie, to help spread the word. Share our film with others, encourage as many people as possible and create a positive momentum.

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2024-10-29 10:16