Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies Takes Home Entertainer Of The Year At CNN-News18's IOTY 2024 Awards
Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies was celebrated as the Entertainer of the Year (Jury) at the prestigious CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2024 awards. Set in rural India, this satirical comedy explores themes of gender equality and societal norms while earning widespread acclaim for its witty narrative, stellar performances, and cultural depth.
The esteemed CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2024 awards ceremony took place in New Delhi, honoring individuals whose exceptional contributions brought pride to the nation. Widely regarded as one of the most prominent awards in news television, the event celebrated achievements across seven diverse categories, including Entertainment, Business, Sports, Youth Icon, and Climate Warriors. This year, Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies earned the prestigious Entertainer of the Year (Jury) award, cementing its status as a critically acclaimed masterpiece.
Kiran Rao, accompanied by the cast, took to the stage to discuss the film’s unique casting process. Reflecting on the challenges of casting during the Covid-19 pandemic, she remarked, “It was one of those times when you had the pleasure of sitting in your house and watching hours of tapes from talented people across the country. I had the great fortune of working with an excellent casting director for Romil. Phool and Deepu were among the first to audition and were my top choices from the beginning. Jaya was ‘Laapataa’ from my life for a long time and was one of the last talents we found. When I saw her, I knew we had our Jaya."
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She also expressed, “This film has been an extraordinary journey for all of us. The outpouring of love it has received from audiences across the country has been both deeply humbling and incredibly overwhelming. A heartfelt thank you to CNN-News18."
Marking Kiran Rao’s return to filmmaking after Dhobi Ghat (2010), Laapataa Ladies received wide acclaim and was even selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Although it didn’t advance to the Oscars shortlist, the film’s selection highlighted its artistic significance and cultural resonance.
Set in rural India in 2001, Laapataa Ladies offered a satirical yet heartfelt narrative of two newlywed brides mistakenly swapped during a chaotic train journey. The film cleverly tackled themes of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and societal expectations, all wrapped in an engaging, humorous storyline.
Featuring Nitanshi Goel as Phool Kumari and Pratibha Ranta as Jaya Tripathi Singh, alongside Sparsh Shrivastav, Ravi Kishan, and Chhaya Kadam, the cast delivered compelling performances that brought depth and authenticity to the story. Shot in the picturesque villages of Madhya Pradesh, the film’s cinematography, sound design, and attention to cultural detail beautifully captured the essence of rural India.
Premiering at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, Laapataa Ladies received a standing ovation for its witty screenplay and strong performances. Its theatrical release in March 2024 earned critical and audience acclaim, and the film later secured the Best Film (Critics’ Choice) award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2024.
With its resonant storytelling and socially relevant themes, Laapataa Ladies exemplifies Kiran Rao’s ability to blend meaningful narratives with cinematic excellence. Winning the Entertainer of the Year (Jury) award at CNN-News18’s Indian of the Year 2024 further solidifies the film’s legacy as a milestone in contemporary Indian cinema.
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