Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light" is making waves as it prepares to compete independently at the 97th Academy Awards. While the Malayalam-language drama wasn't selected as India's official entry for Best International Feature, the film is now in contention for several major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, as announced by co-producers Slideshow today.

This comes after the Film Federation of India chose Kiran Rao's "Laapataa Ladies" as the country's Oscar submission. However, Rao's satirical take on patriarchy in rural India failed to make it to the recently revealed Oscar shortlist.

In contrast, Kapadia's Cannes-premiered film has been steadily gaining recognition on the global stage. 

After clinching the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 2024 Cannes International Film Festival, "All We Imagine As Light" has continued to amass accolades. Just this week, it was named Best International Film at the Florida Film Critics Circle.

The film has also earned nominations at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year and Film of the Year. 

Adding to its achievements, Kapadia's debut feature has previously won Best International Feature Film at renowned awards like the Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and Asia Pacific Film Awards, among others. 

Set in Mumbai, "All We Imagine As Light" explores the intertwined lives of three working women navigating personal struggles. The story follows Nurse Prabha (Kani Kusruti), who receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, sparking emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, her younger roommate Anu (Divya Prabha) grapples with finding privacy in her relationship with a Muslim man (Hridhu Haroon). Together, they embark on a transformative journey to a coastal town, searching for healing and closure. 

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‘Emilia Pérez’, ‘Wicked’ dominate Oscars shortlist; ‘Laapataa Ladies’, ‘Boli’ fall short

The film's evocative storytelling and its powerful performances by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon, and Azees Nedumangad have resonated with critics and audiences worldwide.