At the recent ‘Celebrate Cinema 2024’ event hosted by Whistling Woods International, director Kiran Rao, alongside writer Sneha Desai and actress Nitanshi Goel, shed light on their film, ‘Laapataa Ladies’. This innovative project, which has already captured the hearts of audiences in India, is now set to make its mark in Japan.
In an interview with ANI, Rao revealed her deep connection to the story. “The narrative resonated with me in a profound way. It raises intriguing questions: What happens when two girls go missing? What can they learn about themselves in the process? The concept of their resilience, even when left alone, was incredibly inspiring. I felt this script was a perfect canvas to explore various themes,” she explained.
The film is scheduled for release in Japan on October 4, 2024. Kiran took to Instagram to share her excitement, thanking the Japanese distribution company Shochiku with a heartfelt “arigato gozaimasu.”
‘Laapataa Ladies’ emphasizes themes of gender equality and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2023, receiving a warm standing ovation. The cast includes notable actors like Ravi Kishan, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ratna, and Sparsh Shrivastav, all of whom contribute significantly to the film’s compelling narrative.
During the session, Kiran Rao also expressed her enthusiasm for the engaging dialogue with film students. “Our discussion was truly captivating. The questions posed were fresh and thought-provoking, reflecting the curiosity of the audience,” she noted. The session, moderated by esteemed writer Anjum Rajabali, turned into an enriching experience that extended beyond the scheduled time. “We lost track of time; three and a half hours flew by without us even noticing,” Rao shared.
The festival is set to wrap up with a highly anticipated session featuring Imtiaz Ali and Yashika Sikka, discussing their own project, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’.
