Aamir Khan On Laapataa Ladies' Oscar Aspirations: People Will Go Mad, We Win

Aamir Khan, a prominent figure in Indian cinema, has recently shared his views on the significance of his film, Laapataa Ladies, potentially winning an Oscar. This comes as Laapataa Ladies has been chosen to represent India at the Oscars, stirring excitement and hope among Indian movie enthusiasts. Khan, in an interview, stated that the achievement of an Indian film winning the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars would be monumental, as it is an accolade the country has long aspired to win but has yet to achieve.

The excitement surrounding Laapataa Ladies stems from its selection as India's official entry for the Oscars, a decision that has placed it under a global spotlight. Khan expressed his feelings in a conversation with BBC News India, emphasizing the broader implications of winning such a prestigious award. He mentioned that though he is not one to put much stock in competitions, the global recognition and interest a win would generate for the film are significant. The actor believes that an Oscar would not only elevate the film's status but also captivate a wider audience, curious about the elements that distinguish it.

"I would be really happy. It would create tremendous opportunity for the film to be seen by a lot more people because when a film wins an Oscar or Academy award, then people from around the world want to see what it's like. So it opens a huge window of opportunity for a larger audience for a film. More important than that, I think Indian are so film crazy and we have been dying to win an Academy Award for an Indian film which hasn't happened till now. So the country would go ballistic. They'll just go mad if we win. So just for the people of our country, I'd be very happy if we win the award," he added

Khan also highlighted the national pride tied to this potential achievement. He pointed out that only three Indian films—Mother India, Salaam Bombay, and Lagaan—have been nominated in the past, without securing a win. Recently, RRR won the Best Original Song award, and The Elephant Whisperers was awarded Best Documentary Short, with Writing with Fire and All That Breathes also receiving nominations. However, an Oscar win for an Indian feature film remains elusive. Khan envisions a win for Laapataa Ladies as a cause for nationwide celebration, reflecting the deep love and passion Indians have for cinema.

Looking ahead, Laapataa Ladies is garnering attention not only for its Oscar bid but also for its role in showcasing Indian talent on an international stage. The Oscar 2025 shortlist announcement, expected on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, is eagerly awaited, with high hopes pinned on Laapataa Ladies making the cut. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is busy with upcoming projects, including starring in Sitaare Zameen Par alongside Darsheel Safary and Genelia Deshmukh, and producing Lahore 1947, a film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi featuring Sunny Deol.

In summary, Aamir Khan's insights shed light on the potential impact of an Oscar win for Laapataa Ladies, not just for the film itself but for the Indian film industry as a whole. Such a win would mark a historic achievement for India, fulfilling a long-held dream and igniting a sense of pride and joy across the nation. As the world awaits the shortlist for the Oscars, the anticipation for Laapataa Ladies' success represents a collective hope for recognition on cinema's biggest stage.