Hansal Mehta, Ricky Kej Take A Dig At FFI's Film Choices Over Laapataa Ladies' Oscar Exit: 'As Expected'

Director Hansal Mehta criticised the Film Federation of India (FFI) after the Academy failed to shortlist Laapataa Ladies for the 2025 Oscars. The film had been selected as India’s official entry.

Director Hansal Mehta criticised the Film Federation of India (FFI) after the Academy failed to shortlist Laapataa Ladies for the 2025 Oscars. The Kiran Rao film had been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature category, but it was revealed on Tuesday that it did not make to the shortlist.

Hansal Mehta mocks FFI 

In response, Hansal took to X, mocking the FFI for its selection. Sharing the list of shortlisted films for the 97th Academy Awards, Hansal wrote, “Film Federation of India does it again! Their strike rate and selection of films year after year is impeccable.”

 

Ricky Kej criticises FFI

Along with Hansal Mehta, musician Ricky Kej and various social media users also criticised the FFI's decision to nominate Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry. Ricky wrote, “#LaapataaLadies is a very well made, entertaining movie (I enjoyed it), but was absolutely the wrong choice to represent India for the best #InternationalFeatureFilm category. As expected, it lost.”

He continued, “When are we going to realize.. year after year.. we are choosing the wrong films. There are so many excellent movies made, and we should be winning the #InternationalFeatureFilm category every year! Unfortunately we live in a 'Mainstream Bollywood' bubble, where we cannot look beyond films that we ourselves find entertaining. Instead we should just look for good films made by film-makers who are uncompromising in their art.. low budget or big budget.. star or no star.. just great artistic cinema.”

One social media user expressed frustration, writing, “It’s a crying shame. Not only did India not submit it, the movie that was submitted wasn’t even shortlisted. Fire the entire Film Federation of India body, and get some people who have sense and taste.”

Meanwhile, fans are hopeful that Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light will receive recognition at the 2025 Oscars. The film has already earned nominations for the 2025 Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.