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India’s hopes for a win in the 97th Academy Awards dimmed this year as most high-profile entries, including Kiran Rao’s Laapata Ladies, missed the nominations list. Only the short film Anuja, co-produced by Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra, secured a nod but lost to the Dutch film I’m Not a Robot at the March 2 ceremony.
Anuja’s Lone Nomination Ends in Defeat
Directed by Adam J. Graves, Anuja marked India’s sole representation at the 2025 Oscars with a Best Live Action Short Film nomination. Despite its compelling narrative, the film fell short against international competition.
Laapata Ladies and Other Snubs
Laapata Ladies, India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film, failed to advance to the final nominations despite early buzz.
As such, it joined a string of overlooked titles, including Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine As Light, R. Madhavan’s Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life, and historical drama Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Other snubbed films ranged from sports drama Band of Maharajas to indie favourites like Girls Will Be Girls and Santosh. Similarly, Payal Kapadia’s critically acclaimed All We Imagine As Light faced repeated setbacks, losing to Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and BAFTAs.
ALSO READ: Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine As Light' loses at Golden Globes
India’s Oscars Journey: Milestones and Snubs
India’s Oscars history remains a mix of pride and near-misses. Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1958) was the first official submission, although it lost by one vote. However, costume designer Bhanu Athaiya broke ground in 1983 with a win for Gandhi while Satyajit Ray received an honorary Oscar in 1992.
Notable nominations include Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! (1989) and Aamir Khan’s Lagaan (2002), both of which highlighted the challenges of Oscar campaigning. In 2009, Slumdog Millionaire swept eight awards, including Best Song for Jai Ho. More recently, RRR’s Naatu Naatu (2023) and The Elephant Whisperers (2023) brought India wins, cementing its documentary prowess.
ALSO READ: 97th Oscars: ‘Anora’, ‘The Brutalist’ win big with 5 and 3 wins respectively
While 2025 saw limited success, India’s expanding global footprint through films like Anuja and festival favourites suggests future opportunities. For now, the Academy’s snubs continue to maintain an uphill battle that Indian cinema faces in securing mainstream Oscar recognition.
