FFI’s Selection committee that chose Laapataa Ladies for Oscars 2025 had NO female member; Know all about ‘citation’ controversy that’s going viral

As a woman who has spent decades navigating through the intricate labyrinth of Indian cinema and society, I find myself utterly dismayed yet not entirely surprised by the recent citation for Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies. The opening line, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance,” is a stark reminder of the patriarchal lens through which many decisions are made in our industry.


On September 23rd, 2024, Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies was announced as India’s chosen representation in the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards by the Film Federation of India. The announcement sparked national jubilation, but a rejection of a certain citation by FF1 has left some disheartened. There’s been much discussion online about the reasoning behind the selection committee.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to shed light on an intriguing phrase that has sparked quite a reaction recently. The statement in question, found in the image you provided, starts with, “Indian women are a strange mixture of submission and dominance.” While some have chuckled at this, others have raised eyebrows, questioning if this perspective originated from a male-dominated selection committee’s viewpoint. A passionate user voiced their frustration, saying, “You can’t make this up.” This phrase certainly stirred quite the discussion, highlighting the importance of understanding and respect in cross-cultural communication.

One individual stated, “The introduction for the jury summons is quite bizarre.” Another criticized, “The Film Federation of India should let go of whoever composes these descriptions.” A third person commented it was broad, while another said, “This is the most unbelievable citation I have ever encountered. It’s surprising that this is being submitted for an OSCAR.” Lastly, the sixth individual humorously remarked, “A ‘strange concoction’? Is that the best you could manage as an opening line?

This was not it, the internet dug up several side-by-side examples including footage and videos to call out the jury for diverting the achievement to an opinion. Making this phenomenon even more controversial was the committee being led by men. The members include – Mr. Jahnu Barua, Mr. Manjunatha S., Mr. Santhosh Raman, Mr. Subbiah Nallamuthu, Mr. Ravi Jadhav, Mr. G. P. Vijayakumar, Mr. Avinash U. Shetty, Mr. Bobby Bedi, Mr. Umamaheshwar Rao, Mr. Bhargav Purohit, Mr. Praveen KL, Mr. Longinus Fernandes, and Mr. D. Yuvaraj.

As a passionate admirer of cinematic arts, I must admit that there’s been quite a stir concerning FFI’s wording, but as a supporter of female narratives, I’m focusing on the bright side: A story penned by women, for women, and about women is making its way to the Oscars. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, Laapataa Ladies is poised to make history, potentially securing a nomination set to be revealed on January 17, 2025.

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2024-09-24 14:53