Kiran Rao’s directorial Laapataa Ladies continues its unstoppable journey, garnering praise as it travels from one film festival to another. The film, which won the hearts of Indian audiences—an impressive feat for small, slice-of-life movies—has now expanded its reach with a release in Japan.
Produced by Aamir Khan, Laapataa Ladies hit theaters in Japan on October 4. After its successful run on the big screen and on OTT platforms in India, the film is poised to attract a new audience abroad. Its release in Japan follows several accolades, including winning the Best Film Critics’ Choice Award at the 2024 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and being selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025.
Starring Sparsh Srivastava, Nitanshi Goel, and Pratibha Ranta in lead roles, Laapataa Ladies was chosen as India’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards. The film competed against 29 others, including Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, as well as the National Award-winning Malayalam film Aattam.
Reflecting on this recognition, Kiran Rao expressed her gratitude: “I am deeply honored and beyond delighted that our film Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life. Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India.”
