India
Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies became one of the most celebrated films of 2024, striking a chord with audiences and critics alike. With a cast featuring newcomers Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Pratibha Ranta, alongside seasoned actors Ravi Kishan and Chhaya Kadam, the film stood out for its poignant storytelling and lack of melodrama. It marked Kiran’s return to filmmaking after a 13-year hiatus since her acclaimed debut, Dhobi Ghat (2011).
Co-produced by her ex-husband and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, Laapataa Ladies earned rave reviews and was selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Although it didn’t secure a nomination, the film carved its place in cinematic history and won hearts across the nation.
During a recent conversation with RJ Rohini, Kiran reflected on how the project came to her. “Aamir told me one line of the story because he was on the jury of a screenwriting competition,” she recalled. “That one line was just so compelling that I thought, ‘I want to do this, really badly.’”
She added with a laugh, “I had been struggling a little bit like one ‘Laapataa Lady’ myself for so many years, trying to write and not finding the right story for my second film. So, yeah, I think back to that day quite often.”
The personal connection between the filmmaker and the story not only brought Laapataa Ladies to life but also signaled a new chapter in Kiran’s career.
For fans eagerly awaiting her next project, Kiran offered a glimmer of hope. “It won’t take 13 years this time,” she assured, sharing that she is already immersed in writing her next film. “There are lots of things I’ve been cooking. I don’t know what will come to the boil first.”
As audiences await her next masterpiece, one thing is certain: Kiran Rao’s creative journey is far from over.
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