The Ladies rock London

Kiran Rao speaks about Laapataa Ladies tackling themes of identity, empowerment at London School of Economics

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, whose film Laapataa Ladies has been submitted as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025, recently attended a fireside chat at London School of Economics (LSE).

Kiran engaged in an insightful conversation with Shakuntala Banaji, professor of Media, Culture and Social Change, and Sanam Arora, founder and chairperson of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU). Kiran shared her thoughts on pushing the boundaries of storytelling in Indian cinema.

During the session, the filmmaker spoke about Laapataa Ladies tackling themes of identity, empowerment, and sisterhood through a satirical and humorous lens. The discussion resonated deeply with students, offering a rare glimpse into Kiran’s creative process and her vision for impactful filmmaking.

Speaking about her participation at the event, Kiran said in a statement, “I am truly pleased to have had the opportunity to meet and interact with students at the London School of Economics and from universities throughout the UK through NISAU. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were inspiring. The discussion reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of storytelling to connect communities and spark change.”