Laapataa Ladies nominated for Japan Academy Film Prize 2024 amid Oscar exit

Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) has earned a nomination for Best International Film at the Japan Academy Film Prize 2024. The film, which was released theatrically in Japan in October 2024, completed a successful 100-day box office run. It is one of five international films selected from 204 eligible releases in Japan in 2024. This marks a significant achievement, as the film has gained recognition in an international context despite its exclusion from the 2025 Oscars race.

The film is now competing for the prestigious award against other notable international films, including Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, and Alex Garland’s Civil War. The winner will be announced at the Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony on March 14, 2025.

Directed by Kiran Rao, Laapataa Ladies centers on the story of two young brides, played by Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta, who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey to their husbands' homes. This leads to a deep exploration of identity, fate, and personal growth. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan.

The film was produced by Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan, and Jyoti Deshpande, under the banners of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions. It is based on an award-winning script by Biplab Goswami, with screenplay and dialogues written by Sneha Desai and additional dialogues by Divyanidhi Sharma.

Laapataa Ladies was India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards but did not make the shortlist. Despite this setback, the filmmakers expressed gratitude for the support they received throughout the process. In a statement, Aamir Khan emphasized the ongoing journey of the film, stating, “For us, this is not the end but a step forward.” The film continues to reach global audiences, now available for streaming on Netflix