India’s Oscar Journey and Top Contenders

As Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies secures its spot as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit ten remarkable Indian films that have made it to the Oscars.

1. Mother India (1957) Mother India was the first Indian film to be nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film category. 

2. Salaam Bombay! (1988) The film’s raw portrayal earned it a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

3. Lagaan (2001) Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan is a historical sports drama. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.

4. Water (2005) Directed by Deepa Mehta, The film received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

5. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) The film is deeply rooted in Indian culture. The film won eight Oscars, including Best Picture.

6. Peepli Live (2010) Produced by Aamir Khan, It was India’s official entry for the Oscars.

7. Barfi! (2012) Anurag Basu’s Barfi! The film was India’s official entry for the Oscars.

8. The Lunchbox (2013) It was widely acclaimed and was India’s entry for the Oscars.

9. Court (2014) Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court was India’s official entry for the Oscars.

10. Gully Boy (2019) Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy is The film was India’s entry for the Oscars.

11. RRR (2022) The song “Naatu Naatu” from RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

12. Laapataa Ladies (2025) Laapata ladies is India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars. Directed by Kiran Rao and Produced by Aamir Khan.