Filmmaker Hansal Mehta on Saturday took a dig at Film Federation of India jury head Jahnu Barua for calling Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light “technically very poor”.
The development came hours after the film topped former US President Barack Obama’s list of most recommended 2024 films and announced its independent nomination in all major categories at the 97th Oscars.
The Film Federation India jury, headed by Jahnu, had previously chosen Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies as India’s Oscar entry over All We Imagine as Light in the Best International feature category. But Rao’s satirical film that explores patriarchy in rural India failed to make it to the Oscar shortlist unveiled earlier this week.
The FFI’s unanimous decision led to Mehta and music composer Ricky Tej criticising Jahnu and his 13-member committee. In a recent interview, Jahnu had said that the jury found Kapadia’s film to be “technically very poor”, while Rao’s movie “had all the right elements, and presented the social chaos we go through brilliantly”.
“It is indeed disappointing to hear. I was asked to be on this jury several times including this time. But I’d rather stay away than have to pretend that all these choices are free of external pressures and only based on merit. Besides I refuse to accept that FFI can decide these things including selection of juries,” Mehta tweeted on Thursday.
All We Imagine as Light grabbed headlines after winning the Grand Prix award at Cannes Film Festival in May. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the film was the first Indian movie in competition since 1994 and was one of only four female-directed features in the lineup.
Kapadia’s film has been on a winning streak since Cannes. All We Imagine As Light was also named best international feature film at the 2024 Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles , Chicago Film Critics Association, San Diego Film Critics Society, Phoenix Critics Circle, Toronto Film Critics Association, Lumiere Awards and Asia Pacific Film Awards.
Set in Mumbai, the film revolves around two nurses who are also roommates. Prabha's usual schedule is disrupted when she unexpectedly receives a gift from her estranged husband. Meanwhile, her younger roommate, Anu, struggles to find a private place in the bustling city to spend time with her boyfriend. A getaway to a seaside town provides them with the perfect opportunity to fulfil their desires.
All We Imagine As Light features Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon in key roles. The film is produced by France's Petit Chaos along with co-producers including India’s Chalk & Cheese, France’s Arte France Cinema, the Netherlands’ Baldr Film, India’s Another Birth, Luxembourg’s Les Films Fauves and Italy’s Pulpa Film.
