All We Imagine As Light is a poignant exploration of human relationships, societal expectations, and the quest for personal liberation. The film masterfully weaves together the lives of three women: Prabha, Anu, and Parvathy, each navigating the complexities of love, identity, and societal pressures. Prabha’s journey from a conservative mindset to one of acceptance and growth is the emotional core of the film. Her encounter with a mysterious stranger serves as a mirror, reflecting her own suppressed desires and the need to break free from her past. This personal transformation enables her to support Anu’s relationship with Shiaz, a symbol of resilience and unconditional love.
Payal Kapadia captures the intricacies of emotional turbulence with quiet grace, using minimal dialogue and evocative visuals to convey the characters’ inner struggles. The coastal setting, symbolic of both confinement and liberation, enhances the narrative’s emotional depth. The film’s pacing, though slow at times, allows for a meditative exploration of its themes. It challenges traditional notions of love and gender roles, making it a timely and thought-provoking piece. All We Imagine As Light is a tender, introspective film that celebrates the courage to embrace change, love, and individuality. A must-watch for fans of character-driven storytelling.
Contains Spoilers
‘All We Imagine As Light’ (2024) Plot Summary
Prabha and Anu, two Malayali nurses, share an apartment in Mumbai. Prabha is principled and longs for her husband, who left for Germany shortly after their marriage. She leads a reserved life, rejecting the romantic advances of Dr. Manoj, a colleague, citing her loyalty to her absent spouse. In contrast, Anu is lively and adventurous, secretly involved with a Muslim man, Shiaz. Their contrasting personalities shape the dynamics of their shared life.
One day, an unexpected package arrives—a modern rice cooker with no indication of the sender. This seemingly random event is soon overshadowed by a pressing issue at their hospital. Parvaty, the hospital’s cook, faces eviction from her chawl as a capitalist builder seeks to replace it with a high-rise. Prabha empathizes with Parvaty and rallies to help her resist the unjust displacement. However, Parvaty, unable to prove legal tenancy, decides to leave her job and return to her ancestral village in Ratnagiri.
Prabha and Anu accompany Parvaty to help her relocate. Unbeknownst to Prabha, Shiaz follows them, meeting Anu in secret. During an intimate encounter between Anu and Shiaz, Prabha accidentally stumbles upon their relationship. Her discovery shakes the seemingly stable bond between the two women.
Meanwhile, Prabha encounters a near-drowning man and saves his life using CPR. As she nurses him back to health, a surreal transformation occurs. The man takes on the persona of her estranged husband, offering her the apology she has long yearned for. This imaginary reconciliation allows Prabha to confront her deep-seated loneliness and find a semblance of closure.
Why Does Prabha Decide Open Up With the Stranger?
Prabha’s actions stem from a deep emotional need for connection, compounded by her professional instincts as a nurse. Her decision to interact with the stranger and her eventual willingness to assume a role in his life reflect a blend of personal vulnerability, compassion, and circumstantial pressure.
Prabha feels emotionally unsettled by Anu’s dishonesty and her display of affection with Shiaz. The sight of their happy intimacy amplifies Prabha’s awareness of the emotional and physical void in her own life. For years, she has lacked the comfort of touch and companionship, leaving her yearning for reassurance and closeness. Witnessing the rescued man’s vulnerability presents an opportunity for her to project her own longing for connection onto him. Her decision to comfort him by claiming to be his wife, albeit unconventional, satisfies this yearning for emotional attachment, even if momentarily.
As a trained nurse, Prabha is deeply driven by her caregiving instincts. Her immediate response to resuscitate the man highlights her natural inclination to help. When she remains by his side after he regains consciousness, it is partly a continuation of her professional duty but also a subconscious need to feel significant in someone’s life. By comforting the man through familiarity and role-playing as his wife, Prabha unconsciously fulfills her dual role as a healer and a source of stability for him during his disoriented state.
The context plays a critical role in shaping Prabha’s actions. When the homeowner assumes the man to be her husband, Prabha initially tries to correct the misunderstanding but quickly relents. This might be due to her fatigue from resisting social expectations, particularly after her conservative response to Anu’s relationship. Additionally, the man’s amnesia creates a unique dynamic where Prabha’s fabricated identity does no immediate harm and instead provides him with a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Prabha does not truly believe the man to be her husband, nor does she appear to genuinely intend to deceive him. Her actions seem driven by the need to fill an emotional void and provide reassurance in a way that feels mutually beneficial. The man’s confusion and reliance on her allow her to temporarily escape her own feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. In essence, Prabha’s behavior is less about forming a romantic bond and more about finding a semblance of intimacy and purpose amidst her inner turmoil.
All We Imagine As Light (2024) Ending Explained: What Makes Prabha Support Anu and Shiaz’s Relationship?
Prabha’s transformation and eventual support for Anu and Shiaz stem from her personal growth and the realization of broader societal truths. Her journey, shaped by her encounters and reflections, leads her to reevaluate her own conservative mindset and embrace progressive ideals for the people she loves.
Prabha’s intimate encounter with the stranger serves as a turning point in her life. By asking the stranger to never seek her again, she symbolically closes a chapter of emotional stagnation. This experience helps her confront her own reality and awakens her desire for change. Letting go of her traditional views becomes a way for Prabha to liberate herself emotionally and mentally. Supporting Anu and Shiaz’s relationship becomes a tangible way to embody this change, signaling her readiness to break free from the confines of her conservative upbringing.
When Anu expresses her desire to marry Shiaz, Prabha is initially cautious but soon comes to see the depth of their relationship. She observes Anu’s courage in standing by Shiaz despite societal pressures and family expectations. This steadfastness inspires Prabha, showing her that relationships built on mutual respect and resilience are worth supporting. Her meeting with Shiaz and seeing his goodness further solidifies her decision. Prabha understands that happiness lies in being with the right person, not in conforming to societal norms.
Prabha’s newfound perspective aligns her with the struggles of the women around her. Like Anu, Prabha has faced societal pressures that tried to dictate her choices. Watching Anu defy these expectations motivates Prabha to challenge her own internalized beliefs. Alongside Parvathy, who chooses peace over conflict with oppressive systems, Prabha realizes the importance of prioritizing happiness and individuality over conforming to outdated values. Supporting Anu and Shiaz becomes a way for her to reclaim her agency while standing in solidarity with women who seek to live on their own terms.
Prabha’s journey from conservatism to acceptance reflects her deep understanding that life is about meaningful choices, not imposed restrictions. By giving her blessings to Anu and Shiaz, she not only supports their happiness but also liberates herself from the traditional mindset that once confined her. This act symbolizes hope, change, and the courage to embrace love in all its forms.
