The Film Federation of India (FFI) recently announced that Kiran Rao’s ‘Missing Ladies’ (Laapata Ladies) will represent India at the 2025 Oscars. While many are celebrating this decision, some in the industry feel that Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine Is Light’, which impressed audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, would have been a more fitting choice for the international stage.
Film critics and industry experts are now weighing in on the debate. Let’s take a closer look at the different opinions around these two films and their Oscar potential.
Two Different Films with Unique Strengths
Both ‘Missing Ladies’ and ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ have been praised for their storytelling, but they cater to very different audiences.
A senior film journalist shared their views, saying, “Both films are fantastic in their own way. But ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ has already made its mark internationally, especially after its success at Cannes. Western audiences have always appreciated the way Indian films portray feminism, and this film fits into that narrative. Given its global appeal, it might have had a better shot at the Oscars.”
However, the journalist also noted that the selection committee probably had different priorities, which led to the choice of ‘Missing Ladies.’
Indianness vs. International Appeal
Aarti Saxena, a well-known film critic, also weighed in, stating that while ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ is an excellent film, it may not have been the best fit for the Oscars in the context of representing India. She highlighted the importance of “Indianness”, which was a key factor in the jury’s decision.
“‘Missing Ladies’ represents a slice of life that resonates more broadly with Indian audiences, while ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ appeals to a niche international crowd. The FFI jury likely wanted a film that truly reflects Indian culture, which is why they picked ‘Missing Ladies’.”
Can ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ Still Make it to the Oscars?
Despite not being selected as India’s official entry, there is still a way for ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ to compete at the Oscars. As Aarti Saxena points out, the makers of the film can submit it as an independent entry for the 2025 Oscars.
There have been past examples where Indian films have submitted independently for the Academy Awards, such as ’12th Fail’ and ‘RRR’. If Payal Kapadia and her team feel confident, they can still enter the race.
A Biased Decision?
There’s also some criticism of the FFI’s selection process. Some feel that ‘Missing Ladies’ being chosen over ‘All We Imagine Is Light’ shows a bias towards more commercial Hindi cinema. A source close to the matter said, “International films today often rely on co-productions, and whether a film is fully Indian or part international should not be the deciding factor.”
This sentiment echoes the belief that the FFI panel is sticking to more traditional choices rather than considering globally appreciated films like ‘All We Imagine Is Light’.
Ultimately, both films have their merits, but the debate continues over whether India should have gone with a film that has already resonated with international audiences.
