There is a wave of excitement among the team of Laapataa Ladies as the film is selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars. This, obviously, includes the film’s director Kiran Rao. In an interview with her, she shared her excitement at the news and more.
What was your reaction when you heard the news?
Actually, a relative of mine texted on our family group to tell me the news, because it flashed somewhere. I was in the middle of reading a script and I thought he was mistaken, but soon after messages and calls started pouring in. We have not had a moment yet for it to fully sink in. It’s both a wonderful honour and a mighty task that we are all looking forward to, representing our country.
Did you ever thing Laapataa Ladies would make it all the way to the Oscars?
Honestly I did not! We had submitted it and like everyone else hoped for the best. It’s both an honour and extremely exciting for all of us. It’s just the start of what we think will be a learning and rewarding journey. The love, support and guidance at this point is overwhelming and we are all just taking it in.
And how do you react to the outcry on social media that All We Imagine As Light, a film no one in India has seen, should have been selected instead?
I’m deeply respectful of the jury decision and would have been equally respectful had it chosen any other film. I have heard wonderful things about All We Imagine As Light, but I think the jury must have deliberated long and hard, and carefully considered all the films before they arrived at this decision. Ultimately, I think what’s important is to be able to put our best foot forward and push boundaries, opening the door and paving the way that much more for the next person.
Now, of course, begins the real struggle to promote the film in LA. Aamir Khan has abundant experience with that. Would you be seeking his help?
Absolutely! Collective knowledge and experience accounts for a lot, especially in a journey like this one. Aamir undertook the challenge at a time when there wasn’t as much awareness of what the journey entails, and he will be leading it again this time. Be it the teams at AKP (Aamir Khan Productions), Jio Studios or Kindling, each of us has been ideating and sharing resources and knowledge.
We’ve made the film with a lot of honesty and I am hoping that shone through. It’s been a journey of many years and one thing that remained unchanged was every team member’s passion. Be it my producers, cast, crew or studio, it was like ‘aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain’. The commitment and sheer love from each one of them is something that I will always cherish and hold close.
Aamir couldn’t bring home the Oscar earlier. Are you hopeful that you will?
There is a quote by Martin Luther King Jr that I love which is ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’ This in every way summarises how all of us feel. We want to give it our best, we will give it our best.
Significantly, Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali remains to this day the most beloved Indian film abroad. Why do you think we haven't made another Pather Panchali?
Ray, through his films, had the ability to capture the beauty in the everyday, the struggles of life, and just the manner he told his films is truly unparalleled. However, I think it may be unfair to expect another Pather Panchali. Each filmmaker brings their own set of influences and understanding to their respective works. Personally for me, I think trying to replicate a piece of art can never quite capture its original soul.
Who are your favourite filmmakers and which ones have influenced you?
It’s such a long list to be honest. Some favourites are Satyajit Ray, Yasujirō Ozu, Agnes Varda, Aki Kaurismaki and Bong Joon Ho. But there are little things in each of the films I have seen over the years that has stayed with me. As a filmmaker, what excites me is to be able to learn something new ever so often.
More Pages: Laapataa Ladies Box Office Collection , Laapataa Ladies Movie Review
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