The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released the final nominees for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards on Thursday. However, filmmaker Payal Kapadia's critically acclaimed drama, All We Imagine as Light, did not make it to the nominations. This comes just days after the film received a nomination in the 'Best Picture Not in the English Language' category at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) 2025, which will be held on February 16.
"Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott take center stage, revealing the nominees for this year's Academy AwardsGetty Images
Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott, prominent Hollywood actors, presented the nominees for the event, which was postponed this month due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will organise the 97th Academy Awards ceremony on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
Emilia Pérez received the most nominations, with 13, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked, each with 10. The nominations for Best International Feature Film are I'm Still Here, The Girl with the Needle, Emilia Pérez, The Saeed of the Sacred Fig, and Flow.
The Film Federation of India (FFI) selected Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies as India's official entry for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, sparking some controversy, as many felt All We Imagine as Light was a more deserving candidate. However, Laapataa Ladies did not make the Oscars shortlist.
Indian representation will still shine at the Oscars 2025, with Anuja, a film produced by Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, securing a nomination in the Best Live Action Short Film category. Directed by Adam J. Graves and produced by Suchitra Mattai, the film stars Sajda Pathan, Ananya Shanbhag, and Nagesh Bhonsle, and is set to be released on Netflix soon.
Anuja: A powerful story of courage, choice, and the bonds that define usInstagram/anujathefilm
The plot revolves around nine-year-old Anuja, played by Sajda Pathan, and her sister Palak, portrayed by Ananya Shanbhag, who work in a Delhi textile factory. When Anuja faces a crucial choice, her family's future hangs in the balance. Mindy Kaling and Guneet Monga Kapoor, creators of the Academy Award-winning documentary short film The Elephant Whisperers, supported the project, along with Priyanka Chopra as the executive producer.
Since its premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where Kapadia made history as the first Indian filmmaker to win the coveted Grand Prix, All We Imagine as Light has been on a success streak, garnering global acclaim.
All We Imagine as Light topped the 2024 year-end rankings of prestigious magazines all over the world. The film won top accolades from the Gotham Awards, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle, Toronto Film Critics Association, San Diego Film Critics Society, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and Chicago Film Critics Association, among others. Despite losing out at the Golden Globe Awards, where it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director, All We Imagine as Light remained a strong contender for the Oscar nomination.
The drama, featuring standout performances from Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, delivers a powerful narrative as it delves into the lives of two nurses. There remained hope that All We Imagine as Light and director Payal Kapadia might secure nominations in categories such as Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, or Best Picture.ayal Kapadia might secure nominations in categories such as Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, or Best Picture.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.