“Laapataa Ladies” Oscar snub highlights Hindi cinema’s struggle for global recognition amidst FFI selection controversies and evolving industry dynamics.

A debate renewed about the selection process of India’s official Oscar entry and a series of broader challenges of Hindi cinema at the Academy Awards after Kiran Rao’s “Laapataa Ladies” was not considered among the shortlisted ones in Best International Feature category of the ACADEMY AWARDS 2025. While the makers have taken their snub with grace and gratitude, the snub has sparked a debate on the criteria employed by the Film Federation of India (FFI) and the changing landscape of Indian cinema.

“Laapataa Ladies,” which recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, is based on the story of how two young brides accidentally swap places on a train journey. The film has been particularly praised for its subtlety regarding female characters and its study of social and cultural aspects. Yet, the inclusion of this film in the Oscars list has not satisfied some filmmakers, including Hansal Mehta, who talked about the “dismal strike rate” of FFI in the selection of films that eventually make it to the Oscar list.

This incident again highlights the persistent issue of Hindi cinema not getting recognition at the Academy Awards. Although Bollywood has been very popular in India, its influence on a global level has been somewhat limited. There are several reasons for this. First of all, the process of choosing the official Oscar entry from India has often been marred by controversy and allegations of bias and lack of transparency. The FFI, the body that selects the entry, has been criticized for its conservative bent and its propensity to choose mainstream, commercial cinema rather than more subtle, artistic ones.

Indian cinema itself is a constantly changing scenario that poses a challenge. The rise of regional cinema, particularly from South India, has led to a diversification of voices and styles, making it increasingly difficult to identify a single film that truly represents the diversity and richness of Indian filmmaking. Moreover, the growing influence of streaming platforms has disrupted traditional distribution models and created new avenues for filmmakers to reach audiences, potentially altering the criteria for judging a film’s impact and significance.

More recently, criticism of the Academy Awards has targeted the lack of diversity within them and the restricted range of films from the non-Western world. There are steps taken in an effort to address these criticisms, but it remains an uphill task to make the Oscars more inclusive of global representation.

 The snub of “Laapataa Ladies” from the Oscars shortlist is a reminder that Hindi cinema still faces many struggles when it comes to recognition around the world. It also points to the urgent need for a more open and inclusive selection process to decide India’s official entry for the Oscars. Fostering a more open and nuanced dialogue about the new landscape of Indian cinema and embracing the full range of voices and perspectives can increase the possibility of greater success at the Academy Awards and on other global platforms.