Aishwarya Rai’s iconic portrayal in Jodhaa Akbar has been celebrated by the Academy Museum, with her stunning lehenga, designed by Neeta Lulla, now featured in the Color in Motion exhibition. The Academy, famed for its Oscars, shared the news, thrilling fans globally. Social media erupted with excitement, with one user stating, “Finally, iconic Indian movies are getting featured on the Academy page,” while another added, “The Academy finally recognizes Aishwarya Rai’s brilliance.” Admirers praised her as a “Reel/Real life QUEEN” and described her as “a feast for the eyes.”
The Academy shared a clip highlighting her royal look, captioning, “A lehenga fit for a queen, designed for the silver screen. In Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s red wedding lehenga is a masterpiece: vibrant zardozi embroidery, centuries-old craftsmanship, and a hidden gem. Look closely, and you’ll find a peacock, India’s national bird, made entirely of jewels. Neeta Lulla didn’t just design a costume; she crafted a legacy.”
Meanwhile, India’s entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category, Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, failed to make the shortlist, disappointing Indian cinema enthusiasts. Critics questioned why Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagined As Light wasn’t chosen instead. Despite the backlash, the Film Federation of India defended their selection.
As Laapataa Ladies exits the race, attention shifts to other Indian contenders. Guneet Monga’s documentary Anuja and British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s Santosh continue their quest for Oscar recognition.
