Jamia Millia Islamia: The Sarojini Naidu Center for Women’s Studies (SNCWS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an online film discussion analyzing the critically acclaimed Indian film directed by renowned filmmaker Kiran Rao and India’s bid for the Oscars.Laapataa Ladies» through a critical gender lens.

The event brought together academics and students to examine the film’s depiction of women’s agency and identity in contemporary India.

India’s Oscar bid

‘Laapataa Ladies‘ has been appointed as India’s entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.

Set in rural India in 2001, the film ingeniously uses the premise of two wives accidentally swapping places on a train journey to unveil deeper narratives about women’s identity, autonomy and resistance to within patriarchal structures.

What appears on the surface as a comedic tale of mistaken identities transforms into a nuanced exploration of how women navigate, resist, and sometimes subvert societal constraints.

Jamia analysis of the film

Poet, author and translator, Dr Saba Bashir of the Department of English, JMI was the resource person while Professor Bulbul Dhar James, Honorary Director of SNCWS and Head of the Department of Political Science, chaired the session.

Dr Adfer Shah of SNCWS coordinated the event, which was supported by student volunteers Shubhangi, Zoyba and Vaibhav.

“What is particularly striking in”Laapataa Ladies“This is how it transforms specific cultural contexts into universal themes of identity, freedom and self-discovery,” said Dr. Saba Bashir while lucidly discussing all aspects of the film, from genre to the social structure through linguistic aspects.

“It’s not about airing dirty laundry, it’s about contributing to world cinema with stories that are authentically Indian but universally human,” she added.

“The real celebration here is the evolution of our cinema – its ability to be critical yet artistically compelling, to be locally rooted yet globally relevant,” she said.

Professor Bulbul Dhar James, in his opening remarks, discussed the relevance of such cinematic works.

“The international recognition of such stories reflects not our shame but our courage as a society to confront our challenges through art. This is a testament to our ability to reflect while maintaining our cultural dignity,” Professor Bulbul said.

“When we tell our stories with honesty and artistic integrity, we are not seeking validation but to participate in a global dialogue about human experiences,” added Professor Bulbul.

“Indian socio-cultural context”

The discussion focused on the film’s treatment of gender dynamics and social stereotypes in the Indian socio-cultural context.

The film discussion also looked at ‘Laapataa Ladies» as a mirror to Indian society, where the seemingly simple story of mistaken identities opens up deeper conversations about women’s voices, choices and visibility in contemporary India.

The film’s artistic treatment of serious social issues has sparked meaningful dialogue between scholars and audiences.

The event demonstrates the role of media in driving conversations on critical societal issues and the importance of academic spaces in analyzing these narratives through a gender lens.

The online format allowed for broader participation, fostering an inclusive dialogue between the expert and participants on the intersection of gender narratives, media and culture.

The discussion generated by the participants critically analyzed the representation of gender issues in the film, particularly in the Indian socio-cultural context. The film, which explores gender dynamics and social stereotypes, served as an engaging medium to explore broader themes of patriarchy, identity and female agency.

The session reflected the university’s commitment to fostering conversations about gender equity and representation in media and culture. The engaging format, expert insights and interdisciplinary focus made it a valuable learning opportunity for students, academics and the wider public.

Dr. Adfer Shah, PR SNCWS and the film discussion coordinator introduced the theme and argued:

“Lapataa Ladies skillfully subverts conventional narratives, showcasing women’s agency through nuanced humor, intersecting gender with class and regional identities, and highlighting rural women’s strategies of resistance, ultimately offering a powerful critique of norms societal.

The formal vote of thanks was given by Dr. Adfer Shah and Student Coordinator Zoyba.

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