Spirit Media, founded by “Baahubali” star Rana Daggubati, has acquired India distribution rights for Payal Kapadia‘s Cannes prizewinner “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 seeking a place to be intimate with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to find a space for their desires to 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 oftentimes women are pitted against each other, but for me friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity and empathy towards each other.”
The film won the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier this year. In her review for Variety, Jessica Kiang called it “a glowing portrait of urban connection and sisterhood,” adding, “Few films have ever so beautifully captured the lonesome romance of Mumbai after dark.”
With distribution deals in place for the U.S., where it is set for a fall release, France and a slew of other major territories, “All We Imagine as Light,” will become one of the most theatrically distributed Indian indies of all time when it hits cinemas worldwide.
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 the Indian companies Chalk & Cheese Films and Another Birth, as well as by the Netherlands’s 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 to the Academy Awards’ international feature category.
“After garnering love from audiences at festivals abroad, we are thrilled to bring Payal’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’ to 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.”
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