Spirit Media, founded by “Baahubali” star Rana Daggubati, has acquired the distribution rights in India for Payal Kapadia’s Cannes award winner “All We Imagine as Light.”
Written and directed by Kapadia in her narrative directorial debut, the film tells the story of two women in Mumbai: Prabha, a troubled nurse who receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, and Anu, her young roommate who is looking for a place to be. intimate with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to find a space where their desires can manifest. The film stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon.
Kapadia said: “This film is about friendship between three different women and often women find themselves pitted against each other, but for me friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity and empathy for each other.”
The film won the Cannes Grand Prix earlier this year. In her review for VarietyJessica Kiang called it “a radiant portrait of urban bonding and sisterhood,” adding, “Few films have ever so beautifully captured the lonely romance of Mumbai after dark.”
With distribution deals in place for the US, where it will be released in the fall, France and a slew of other major territories will make ‘All We Imagine as Light’ one of the most theatrically distributed Indian indies of all time. is showing in cinemas around the world.
Independent films backed by Daggubati and Spirit Media include “Bommalata,” “C/o Kancharapalem,” “Charlie777” and “35-Chinna Katha Kaadu.”
The film was produced by Thomas Hakim and Julian Graff through their France-based company Petit Chaos, in co-production with Indian companies Chalk & Cheese Films and Another Birth, as well as Dutch BALDR Film, Luxembourg’s Les Films Fauves, Italy’s Pulpa Films and France’s Arte France Cinéma.
It is expected to be a strong contender as the Indian entry for the international feature film category of the Academy Awards.
“After garnering the love of audiences at festivals abroad, we are happy to bring ‘All We Imagine as Light’ from Payal to the Indian viewers,” Daggubati said. “Our partnership with this incredible film is a step forward in our efforts to bring compelling and moving stories from different parts of the country to audiences everywhere.”
