A Genuine Connection: Filmmakers and Audiences Respond to Laapataa Ladies
When someone like Anurag Kashyap says a film made him "cry like a baby," you know there’s something rare happening on screen. Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan, hasn’t just picked up positive reviews—it’s struck a deep chord with filmmakers, celebrities, and plenty of regular moviegoers.
Set in the made-up state of Nirmal Pradesh circa 2001, the movie centers on a group of women unexpectedly tossed into chaotic situations. But it’s not the usual melodrama. Instead, Laapataa Ladies balances jokes and charm with moments that sneak up on you and tug hard at your emotions. Kashyap, who knows a thing or two about storytelling that hits home, called it "sincere, funny, and beautiful." He pointed out how Rao creates a world and characters that you want to root for and relate to—so much so that the tears just flow by the time the credits roll.
Critical Acclaim and a Celebratory Mood in Bollywood
It’s not just Kashyap singing the film's praises. Sachin Tendulkar and Salman Khan, two names you wouldn’t usually hear in the same breath as indie cinema, have also tweeted and spoken about how much they admired the film. Tendulkar commended its storytelling, while Salman, not known for gushing over non-masala entries, called Rao’s direction "impressive." That’s a huge deal for a film that isn’t packed with big-budget action or famous faces in every frame.
Film circles are buzzing about the movie’s feminist edge, though Rao weaves those themes with such a light touch that the story feels refreshingly real—never preachy. The humor is dry, the emotion sneaks up on you, and the characters are just quirky enough that you remember them long after the scene. For fans of Indian cinema tired of predictable remakes, Laapataa Ladies is exactly the kind of unexpected delight that has 2024 off to a flying start.
Kashyap’s post even had a playful nod to how perfect the movie feels in its own universe, calling it a "Nirmal film set in Nirmal." He’s right. There’s nothing fake or forced here—just a heartfelt story, real laughs, and more than a few happy tears.
