New Delhi: India's official entry at the Oscars every year is a grand affair. This year too, 'Laapataa Ladies' announcement as the official entry at the 97th Academy Awards has been celebrated as a huge affair. As Kiran Rao's film wins appreciation once again, it is interesting to know that of the many movie entries that the Film Federation of India (FFI) has sent to the Academy, very few have in fact been nominated for the Best International Feature Film award category.
Also Read: Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies' Is India's Official Entry For Oscars 2025 Indian films which came close to winning an Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category The closest that any Indian film came to winning the prestigious award was ‘Mother India’. ‘Mother India’ was nominated in 1957 and lost by a single vote to 'Nights of Cabiria'. In 1988, 'Salaam Bombay!' was another India's official entry and got nominated for the Best International Film category but did not win.
Again in 2001, Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' was nominated in the Best International Film Category but did not win the prestigious award. While India has received an Academy award in other categories, such as Bhanu Athaiya for costume design (Gandhi) and Satyajit Ray: Honorary Academy Award, AR Rahman for Best Original Score and 'RRR' and the 'The Elephant Whisperers' in other categories, a major win by an Indian film in the Best International Film category is still-awaited. Meanwhile, check out the complete list of India’s official entries at the Oscars over the years.
Year (Ceremony) Film Title Language 2025 (97th) Laapataa Ladies Hindi 2024 (96th) Everyone is a Hero Malayalam 2023 (95th) Chhello Show Gujarati 2022 (94th) Koozhangal Tamil 2021 (93rd) Jallikattu Malayalam 2020 (92nd) Gully Boy Hindi 2019 (91st) Village Rockstars Assamese 2018 (90th) Newton Hindi 2017 (89th) Visaranai Tamil 2016 (88th) Court Marathi 2015 (87th) Liar's Dice Hindi 2014 (86th) The Good Road Gujarati 2013 (85th) Barfi! Hindi 2012 (84th) Abu, Son of Adam Malayalam 2011 (83rd) Peepli Live Hindi 2010 (82nd) Harishchandra's Factory Marathi 2009 (81st) Taare Zameen Par Hindi 2008 (80th) Eklavya: The Royal Guard Hindi 2007 (79th) Rang De Basanti Hindi 2006 (78th) Paheli Hindi 2005 (77th) Shwaas Marathi 2004 (76th) The Breath Marathi 2003 (75th) Devdas Hindi 2002 (74th) Lagaan Hindi/English 2001 (73rd) Hey Ram Tamil/Hindi 2000 (72nd) Earth Hindi 1999 (71st) Jeans Tamil 1998 (70th) Guru Malayalam 1997 (69th) Indian Tamil 1996 (68th) Kuruthipunal Tamil 1995 (67th) Muhafiz Hindi 1994 (66th) Rudaali Hindi 1993 (65th) Thevar Magan Tamil 1992 (64th) Henna Hindi/Urdu 1991 (63rd) Anjali Tamil 1990 (62nd) Parinda Hindi 1989 (61st) Salaam Bombay! Hindi 1988 (60th) Nayagan Tamil 1987 (59th) Swathi Muthyam Telugu 1986 (58th) Saagar Hindi 1985 (57th) Saaransh Hindi 1980 (53rd) Payal Ki Jhankaar Hindi 1978 (51st) The Chess Players Urdu/Hindi 1977 (50th) Manthan Hindi 1974 (47th) Garam Hawa Urdu 1973 (46th) Saudagar Hindi 1972 (45th) Uphaar Hindi 1971 (44th) Reshma Aur Shera Hindi 1969 (42nd) Deiva Magan Tamil 1968 (41st) Elder Sister Hindi 1967 (40th) The Last Letter Hindi 1966 (39th) Amrapali Hindi 1965 (38th) The Guide Hindi 1963 (36th) Metropolis Bengali 1962 (35th) Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam Hindi/Urdu 1959 (32nd) The World of Apu Bengali 1958 (31st) Madhumati Hindi 1957 (30th) Mother India Hindi.
