After having directed Dhobi Ghat, Kiran Rao (directorial debut)’s Lapatta Ladies (Lost Ladies) is performing well for its story, screenplay and cast performances. Released theatrically on 1 March 2023 and Netflix on 26th April 2024; the movie guarantees laughter and plenty of heartwarming moments. Starring  Nitanshi Goel (Phool Kumari), Pratibha Ranta (Jaya/Pushpa Rani), Sparsh Shrivastav ( Deepak Kumar), Chhaya Kadam (Manju Maai)and Ravi Kishan (Inspector Shyam Manohar), the story humorously tells the story of two young brides who get lost during a train ride.^[

Travelling in a crowded passenger train along with many other newlywed couples where brides all wear the same coloured attire with their faces completely covered with a veil as is the tradition, Phool and Pushpa find themselves blindly in the hands of their newly wedded husbands. While Deepak (a farmer) dozes off on the journey, only to awaken at his destination, he disembarks with the wrong bride and Phool is left behind on the train. Deepak clutches the hand of a different bride – Jaya and a riot of laughter and chaos ensues!

While the original bride whom Deepak should have been with (Phool) is on a different platform, even the station master cannot help her as she doesn’t remember the name of Deepak’s village! Contrary, Pushpa Rani/Jaya lies about her identity and where she is from. Viewing this incident as a chance for her to escape her fate with Pradeep (her abusive husband) and fulfil her dreams she sells her jewellery, can be seen using a mobile phone, and purchasing bus tickets. 

She also surprises Deepak’s family with the amount of knowledge that she has about organic farming. Phool on the other hand, chooses to remain on the platform that she is hoping Deepak may turn up and instead is helped by Manju Mai – a lady who runs a tea stall on the platform.

The film revolves around Phool trying to reunite with Deepak and Jaya leaving Pradeep to pursue her studies in Dehradun.

The film which has already been screened at the 48th 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

on 8 September 2023 has already spun off to a positive start. While the film has been produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Pictures, it has been distributed by Yash Raj Films. 

Kiran Rao and team Laapataa Ladies on patriarchy, women directors and more