Kiran Rao’s Hindi-language comedy-drama Lost Ladies has already made waves at international film festivals and captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Exploring the unexpected twists in the lives of two newly-wed brides who get mixed up during a train journey across rural India, the film offers a refreshing take on female narratives in Bollywood cinema.
Thanks to its fresh perspective and sharp social commentary, Lost Ladies has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.
We were lucky enough to speak to Rao along with the film’s two lead actresses, Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta, earlier this week. The trio expressed their excitement over the film’s Oscar nomination and its presence on the global stage thanks to Netflix. For them, this recognition signifies not just a personal achievement but also an important moment for Indian cinema, especially from a female point of view.
Rao shared her thoughts on how Lost Ladies tackles themes of womanhood and societal expectations with humour and depth. For her, the story is a celebration of women’s resilience and their journey of self-discovery, something she feels is critical in the current cultural context.
Lost Ladies is available to watch on Netflix.
