When the “spirit of Mumbai” is often invoked, it signifies the city’s resilience, particularly after facing calamities. This “spirit” is usually attributed to the faceless multitude who, lacking the luxury to stay safely indoors, braves the streets out of necessity and resilience. However, Payal Kapadia’s debut feature, *All We Imagine as Light*, challenges this notion by bringing the less privileged to the forefront, giving them a voice and presence that is often overlooked.
Right from the beginning, Kapadia dedicates time to these multitudes before zoning in on the lives of three main characters. In a style reminiscent of her documentary days, the audience hears from the countless individuals who migrate to Mumbai from across India in search of a livelihood. Among these voices are Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha), two Malayali nurses, and Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam), an employee at the hospital where they work. These three women belong to the wider tribe of people who come to this city to make a living.
However, the film isn’t primarily about their work or quotidian struggles. Instead, it delves into their inner lives, exploring their desires, disappointments, confusions, and even biases. Prabha carries an air of weariness, having been in Mumbai for a considerable time. She constantly worries about her husband who seemed to forget her soon after their marriage. Her last conversation with him happened a year ago, after he moved to Germany for a job. She tells her friend that perhaps he has nothing more to say to her.
In contrast, Anu is a beacon of energy and excitement, reveling in her newfound freedom in the city. She is secretly in love with Shiaz (Hridhu Haroon). Anu’s behavior sometimes troubles Prabha, as it clashes with her ingrained patriarchal values, causing spur-of-the-moment criticisms. Yet, Anu continues her daring escapades undeterred but grapples with uncertainties regarding her future. Meanwhile, Parvaty is facing the threat of eviction from her home of over two decades, a victim of urban redevelopment with no paperwork to prove ownership.
. The skyscraper builders find it easy to evict her. Despite facing different adversities, the three women find a common bond of empathy and support.
A notable aspect of their solidarity is not born out of rebellion, although a captivating scene of them throwing stones at a builder’s advertisement represents a small but significant act of defiance. Their unity is anchored in their support for each other. From the bustling nights of Mumbai, filled with ceaseless activity, to personal moments of quiet contemplation, the film captures the different shades of their existence.
In its latter half, the film transports viewers to a serene seaside village in Maharashtra. Here, the blinding sunlight and calmness contrast sharply with the frenetic energy of Mumbai. In a particularly inspired scene, Prabha finds a sense of closure in a moment that exists in a comforting space between reality and imagination. The filmmaker seems to deliberately choose not to fully resolve this moment, letting it gently drift like a kite in the breeze instead of soaring like a bird. This subtle narrative choice leaves the audience feeling slightly unsatiated but contemplative.
Visually, the film takes on the essence of Mumbai, with some gentle jazz accompanying it, creating a mood piece at intervals. The expansive cinematography occasionally captures the endless rows of flats with their dimly or brightly lit windows, along with the ever-moving suburban trains and the diverse populace. These glimpses serve as a reminder that these stories are not just about the three women but represent the many outsiders in Mumbai. Kapadia infuses the mundane with lyrical beauty, even redefining the romanticized Mumbai rains into a frustrating barrier to a romantic encounter.
*All We Imagine as Light* is as much a tribute to Mumbai as it is to the outsiders who, despite being unable to call it home, find themselves unable to leave. The film stands as a radiant ode to those on the periphery of society, spotlighting their strength, resilience, and vibrant inner worlds.
*All We Imagine as Light* is currently running in select theatres in Kerala.
