Guneet Monga Criticizes India's Oscar Selection

Kiran Rao's film 'Laapataa Ladies' has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards, but Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga has criticized this choice, arguing that it lacks the necessary American distribution to succeed in the Oscars race. Monga, who produced the award-winning documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers', emphasized that the Film Federation of India (FFI) should prioritize films with U.S. distributors over those considered the best domestically. She suggests that 'All We Imagine As Light', which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, would have been a better choice due to its international acclaim. Monga believes the FFI's selection process often overlooks the need for a solid American distributor, which is crucial for navigating the Oscars campaign effectively. This debate highlights the challenges faced by Indian filmmakers seeking recognition on an international platform. FFI president Ravi Kottakara defended the decision, stating that 'All We Imagine As Light' felt like a foreign film to the committee.