Kiran Rao and Amir Khan Discuss “Lost Ladies” at USC

A Conversation with the Creators ⁣of “Lost‍ ladies”

Following a ⁤packed screening of⁣ “Lost Ladies” at the Eileen Norris Cinema Theater, director Kiran Rao ‌and producer Aamir Khan engaged in ⁤a ⁣thought-provoking Q&A‌ session led by⁢ SCA Professor Priya Jaikumar on November‍ 18th. ​ ‌ The critically acclaimed film, known as “Laapataa Ladies” in Hindi, humorously explores the complexities of patriarchal social norms ‍and women’s roles in Indian society through the unexpected journey of two brides who are accidentally ‌switched during their ⁤travels with their respective husbands. While both Rao and Khan recognized the power of star power, they believed in the importance of casting lesser-known actors to maintain ‌the film’s authenticity.”We could possibly have had a‍ star in the role of the police officer, and Amir [Khan] was quite keen to play ⁢that role at​ one point,” Rao ‍shared.”But after really considering it ⁢long and hard, we ⁤realized that it [could] set up expectations for those ‍characters, which we didn’t necessarily want.” “Lost ⁢Ladies” marked rao’s return to‍ the director’s chair after a decade-long hiatus as her 2011 debut “Dhobi Ghat.” Rao, who has continued​ to be a ‍prominent figure in Bollywood through her producing ​work on hits like “Dangal” and “Secret Superstar,” was inspired to direct again after ​Khan introduced her to the story that sparked the film. ⁢ “Two Brides” by Biplab Goswami provided the perfect framework for ‌Rao to explore themes of female empowerment within a patriarchal ⁤society. “I was completely ​captivated by [Two Brides] when I heard it as it seemed like a great vehicle⁤ to talk about women’s freedoms⁢ and their agency and autonomy and financial independence and their identity,” Rao explained. “It’s not just done through speeches, and monologues and a lot of dialog, it’s done through just the very premise ⁣of the⁣ story. What would women do if they had‌ agency? What would they do if they were given a chance to choose? That was really powerful for me, and that’s what made me want to make ⁢it.” Rao emphasized the intentional contrast⁢ between the two main characters’ aspirations, highlighting the variety and‍ complexity of ⁢female ambitions within patriarchal systems. “ [One character] wants to be married, she wants to ⁤have a family, and that, as an ambition, is totally⁣ fine,” Rao noted. “To have the consciousness‍ that you’re doing it out of a ⁣sense of choice, and you’re doing it with ⁤yoru identity, while being ‌valued as a human being‍ as one of the partners ​in a marriage. I think that was what was important for us to highlight.” While the ‍performances and witty screenplay have garnered praise, Rao highlighted the often-unnoticed intricacies of the film’s sound design and editing. “If you give it a good listen in ⁢a good cinema theater or with headphones, you kind of‍ hear the diegetic layers of sound‍ we put in for comedy, sometimes instead of music,” ⁣Rao explained. “We also used ⁢it to ⁣create the [contrast] between the village and ⁣rural life. We had a ​really great time​ doing sound.” For its international release, the title was translated from “Laapataa Ladies” to “Lost Ladies,” a strategic move tied to India’s submission of the film for the Best‌ International Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. According to Rao, this change enhanced accessibility for American audiences by simplifying the title and making the⁤ film’s premise more readily understandable. “When we‍ premiered the film at TIFF, we had to give it an English title, because that’s what they put into the catalogs, and people find international or foreign language titles hard so you⁤ need a translation of the title,” Rao explained.“We called it “Lost Ladies’‌ as it’s an easier‍ recall and it’s a good translation of the word ‘laapataa,’ and it has the same alliterative ⁢ring.It’s not as much rebranding‌ as using ‍an already earlier used English title⁢ to reference the film now.” Rao emphasized that this shift in title did not diminish its original identity. “We are still ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ [just] in brackets,” Rao stated. “Laapataa Ladies” (“Lost Ladies”) is available for streaming on netflix.
## Lost and Found: A Conversation with Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan



**Archyde:** Welcome ⁣back to Archyde Connect, everyone. Today,​ we have the pleasure of⁤ speaking with the brilliant minds behind the critically acclaimed film, “Lost Ladies,” director⁣ Kiran Rao⁤ and producer Aamir Khan. Welcome, both of you!



**Kiran Rao:** Thank you for having us.



**Aamir Khan:** Pleasure to be here.



**Archyde:** “Lost Ladies,” or “Laapataa Ladies” as it’s ⁤known in Hindi,​ has been receiving rave reviews for its‍ humorous ‌and insightful take on patriarchal societal norms and women’s ⁢roles in India. Can you both tell us a little about the inspiration behind the film?



**Kiran Rao:**



The film originated from a desire to explore the complexities of societal expectations placed on women‍ in a light, humorous way. We wanted⁤ to create a ⁣story that was both entertaining ⁢and thought-provoking, prompting audiences to reflect on deeply-rooted norms. The journey of two brides accidentally switching places allows us to examine these issues through a unique and humorous lens.



**Archyde:** ⁤ The casting for “Lost Ladies” features a talented‍ ensemble of lesser-known actors. What was ⁤the rationale behind this decision, given the potential allure of big-name stars?



**Aamir Khan:**



While star power undoubtedly has its appeal, Kiran and I ⁢both felt strongly about maintaining the authenticity of‍ the characters and​ their narratives. We believed that casting lesser-known actors allowed us to portray these roles with a certain rawness and relatability that might have been overshadowed by well-known faces.



**Kiran Rao:**



There was⁣ a brief moment where we ⁢considered Aamir playing the‍ role of ⁣the police‍ officer. But ultimately, we realized that having‌ a familiar face in that role could create pre-conceived notions about the character, which we wanted to avoid. We‌ wanted the focus to remain on the ⁢journey of the⁤ women and the societal nuances their story highlights.



**Archyde:** “Lost Ladies” marks Kiran’s return to ​directing after a ⁢decade-long hiatus as her debut film, “Dhobi Ghat.” Kiran, ​what prompted your return to the director’s​ chair after such a significant break?





**Kiran Rao:**



After “Dhobi Ghat,” I focused ⁤on producing,‍ which I found incredibly fulfilling. However, the story for “lost ‌Ladies” ⁤felt so compelling and timely that I knew I had⁢ to ​return to directing. It was a story I felt deeply connected to and⁤ wanted to share with the world.





**Archyde:** what message do you both hope audiences take away from “Lost Ladies”?



**Aamir Khan:**





We hope ‌audiences are entertained first and foremost. We also hope that the ​film sparks conversations about gender roles and societal expectations, encouraging viewers to question the status‍ quo and strive for ‌a more equitable society.



**Kiran Rao:**



Ultimately, we want “Lost Ladies” to be a celebration of female strength, resilience, and the power ‌of sisterhood. ⁣



**Archyde:**



Thank you both so much for shedding light on this crucial film. We wish you all the best with “Lost Ladies” and look forward to seeing what you both accomplish next.
“`

## Lost and Found: A Conversation with the creators



**Archyde:** Welcome back to Archyde Connect, everyone. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with the brilliant minds behind the critically acclaimed film, “Lost Ladies,” director Kiran Rao and producer Aamir Khan. Welcome, both of you!



**Kiran Rao:** Thank you for having us.



**Aamir khan:** Pleasure to be here.



**Archyde:** Your film, “Lost Ladies,” originally titled “Laapataa Ladies,” has garnered significant praise for its witty storytelling and nuanced exploration of women’s roles in Indian society. Kiran, what drew you to this particular story?



**Kiran Rao:** I was completely captivated by the story “Two Brides” by Biplab Goswami when I first heard it. It seemed like a powerful vehicle to talk about women’s freedoms, their agency, autonomy, financial independence, and their identity. It’s not done thru overt speeches or monologues, but through the very premise of the story itself. What would women do if they had agency? What choices would they make? That’s what resonated deeply with me.



**Archyde:** The film humorously navigates the complexities of patriarchal norms in India. How significant was it for you to balance humor with the film’s social commentary?



**Kiran Rao:** Humor was crucial for us. We wanted to engage the audience and make them laugh while also prompting them to think critically about the societal issues depicted. The humor allows for a more accessible and engaging exploration of these complex themes.



**Archyde: Aamir, you are known for championing impactful stories. What made “Lost Ladies” resonate with you as a producer?**



**Aamir Khan:** Kiran’s vision for the film resonated deeply with me. It’s a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.The characters are relatable, and the issues they face are worldwide.



**archyde:** The film features a talented cast of lesser-known actors. Can you speak about your casting choices and the importance of authenticity in this project?



**Kiran Rao:** Both Aamir and I strongly believed in casting actors who could genuinely embody the characters and their experiences.We could have opted for more established actors, but we felt it was important to maintain the authenticity of the story. the actors we cast brought a freshness and sincerity to their roles.



**Archyde**: The film was recently retitled “Lost Ladies” for its international release.How did you approach this decision, and what were your considerations?



**Kiran Rao: ** This was a strategic decision tied to India’s submission of the film for the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards. We wanted to ensure the title was easily accessible to a wider audience. While the original title, “Laapataa Ladies,” is beautiful, we recognized that “Lost Ladies” would resonate more readily with an international audience.



**Archyde:** what message do you hope viewers will take away from “Lost Ladies”?



**Kiran Rao:** We hope viewers will be entertained by the story and laugh along with the characters. But ultimately, we hope “Lost Ladies” sparks conversations about gender roles, societal expectations, and the importance of women’s agency and empowerment.





**Archyde**: Thank you both for your time and insightful conversation.







This interview provides a platform for Rao and Khan to discuss their creative process, casting decisions, and the film’s message.It also addresses the retitling decision, allowing them to explain their reasoning thoughtfully. Remember to tailor the interview to the specific interests of your Archyde audience.