Kiran Rao's film Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, the Film Federation of India announced on Monday. The Hindi movie, a satirical take on patriarchy, was chosen from 29 films. With standout performances by Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi Kishan, and Chhaya Kadam, Laapataa Ladies offers a humorous yet thought-provoking commentary on the deep-rooted patriarchy in society.
At its core, Laapataa Ladies focuses on women’s empowerment through financial autonomy, particularly streedhan. Streedhan, the wealth a woman receives at marriage, symbolizes financial independence. In the film, it serves as a key to the brides’ liberation, showing how money and assets can help women reclaim their freedom. As their journey unfolds, streedhan plays a crucial role in their empowerment.
Here are six financial lessons from Laapataa Ladies:
1. Know the value of Streedhan
Women must understand the importance of 'streedhan,' the assets given by parents during the marriage, including money and jewellery. The Supreme Court asserts that streedhan is not joint property; husbands cannot claim it and must return it when needed. In Laapataa Ladies, Jaya played by Pratibha Ranta realizes the value of her jewellery, using it for her education and independence. She sells a gold bangle to support her sister and pay for her college fees, demonstrating how financial awareness can empower her journey toward academic goals.
2. Always Be Cautious About Who You Trust
The film illustrates how societal norms pressure women to follow their husbands without question, represented by the bride's covering. This expectation of blind trust can lead to financial exploitation and manipulation. Women must remain vigilant in the financial world, ensuring they understand all agreements and terms before signing. By being proactive and informed, they can safeguard their financial interests and avoid falling victim to deceit. It’s essential to question and verify rather than accept blindly.
3. Education is the Key to Financial Independence
Phool, a young bride in the film, finds herself in a troubling situation, admitting she doesn't even know the name of her in-law’s village. Her upbringing has focused solely on domestic skills. In contrast, Jaya is educated and eager to learn, having topped an entrance exam. Ultimately, Jaya chooses to leave her marriage for higher education, highlighting the importance of women prioritizing education and self-reliance to avoid being trapped in unfulfilling relationships.
4. You Must Always Give to Receive
Jaya exemplifies the idea that giving can lead to receiving. While living in a village and preparing for her future, she takes time to help others. She assists with pest control, creates posters to find Phool, and brings joy to Phool’s sister-in-law, who often feels down. When a police officer helps her, Jaya leaves some of her jewellery as a gesture of gratitude for him. This shows that kindness and generosity can foster strong connections and support during difficult times.
5. Utilize Your Skills for Self-Reliance
Women need to be independent, and Laapata Ladies uses Manju Maai's observations to show this. She emphasizes that women can do anything including childcare and gardening and that they don't require males for many jobs. She contends that the social conventions that maintain women's dependence are threatened by this understanding. As the movie progresses, Manju Maai gives Phool more confidence by giving her a portion of the money she made from selling Kalakand. This encourages Phool to accept her independence when she goes back to her in-laws.
6. Leap of Faith
Jaya makes brave decisions throughout the film particularly when she chooses to leave the train with someone else. This occurrence is significant because it demonstrates her willingness to take chances to enhance her future. Jaya's leap of faith such as that of investors who must periodically take calculated risks in order to pursue strong possibilities, indicates that tremendous accomplishments are out of grasp without such bravery.
