Director Kiran Rao's film 'Laapataa Ladies', India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, is no longer in the Oscars race. The film, which had garnered a lot of anticipation after being chosen as India's entry, did not make it to the Academy's official shortlist. However, actor Sonu Sood asserted that the real award for any film is the love and appreciation of the audience. 

While speaking to the media at a press conference in New Delhi, Sood said, "Real Oscar is the audience who shower their love on the film. What matters is to make a place in the hearts of people, awards just remain confined to the shelves.." In September, the Film Federation of India, led by Jahnu Barua, selected 'Laapataa Ladies' from a list of 29 films in several Indian languages, including Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine As Light' and the National Award-winning 'Aattam'. Actor Sonu Sood, who is making his directorial debut with 'Fateh', has collaborated with Yo Yo Honey Singh for the track 'Hitman'.