Filmmakers rally behind India’s Oscar entry

Lost Ladies, India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, continues to garner international acclaim and support through a series of high-profile events and screenings.

The film’s compelling narrative and artistic brilliance have captured the attention of global audiences and industry stalwarts alike, solidifying its place as a standout contender this awards season.

The campaign began on an elegant note with a reception at the prestigious Taj Buckingham Gate, hosted by Bollywood icon Aamir Khan, producer Kiran Rao, and business leader Jyoti Deshpande.

The event brought together film enthusiasts, cultural influencers, and industry veterans to celebrate the film’s journey to representing India at the Academy Awards.

Building on this momentum, Lost Ladies was featured in a special screening at BAFTA’s Princess Anne Theatre. The evening included a Q&A session with Kiran Rao, moderated by esteemed film journalist Jordan Farley, offering insights into the film’s creation and its resonant themes of empowerment and resilience.

Further amplifying its global appeal, celebrated filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, director of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, hosted an intimate screening at the Bulgari Hotel London.

Following the screening, Cuarón moderated a dynamic discussion with Kiran Rao and producer Jyoti Deshpande, delving into the creative vision behind Lost Ladies and its cultural significance.

Rao has championed the film through strategic partnerships with influential organizations such as Women in Film & TV and Reclaim The Frame, underscoring its universal themes and sparking meaningful global conversations.

With endorsements from iconic figures like Alfonso Cuarón, Lost Ladies continues to shine on the international stage, building anticipation and momentum as it embarks on its journey through awards season.

Khan discovered the project while serving as a jury member for a script competition before sharing it with Rao.

In an interview with Variety Khan said: “I just fell in love with the script. The plot itself was really exciting and along with that the film was saying some really important things with a lot of warmth.”

The film is produced by Reliance Industries Limited’s content arm Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions & Kindling Pictures. Set in 2001 in rural India and its plot follows two young brides wearing identical crimson veils who get swapped during a train ride to their husbands villages after their weddings. It bowed at Toronto before enjoy a successful theatrical release in India.

Drawing from his experience with the 2001 film ‘Lagaan’ which was the last Oscar nomination India got in the international feature category, Khan is focusing on maximising the number of Academy member screenings.

He spoke on this saying: “Your effort is to get your film seen by them and their attention onto your film. Then once they’ve seen it, it’s really up to them. That’s what we did in ‘Lagaan’ and that’s what we’re doing here.”