Iman Chakraborty enters Oscars race alongside Lady Gaga

Bengali singer Iman Chakraborty has become the first Bengali female artiste to have one of her songs selected in the 2025 Academy Awards’ Best Original Song category.

The 97th Academy Awards is scheduled to take place on March 3 at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The Oscars are currently in the throes of their selection process, narrowing down the global submissions. This year, 89 songs have made the cut, and among them is Iman’s track “Iti Maa” from the film “Putul,” directed by Indira Dhar Mukhopadhyay. This historic nomination places Iman alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Lady Gaga, Elton John, Miley Cyrus, and Ed Sheeran.

Speaking with Indian news outlet Anandabazar, Iman shared her astonishment at the news. “I still can’t digest it. Somebody pinch me! In moments like this, I feel butterflies in my stomach,” she said, with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

Though Iman has already earned accolades in her career, including India’s prestigious National Film Award, her humility shines through when asked if she expects to clinch the coveted Oscar. “No, no, I don’t set such high expectations,” she responds, keeping her feet firmly on the ground.

“Putul,” featuring the song “Iti Maa”, is set to release in the United States and India’s West Bengal on December 13 and  27, respectively. The music composition and arrangement for the song were crafted by Sayan Ganguly, while the lyrics were penned by Anirban Bhattacharyya.

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