Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, known for her acclaimed film All We Imagine As Light, recently shared her views on India’s official 2025 Oscar entry selection, which went to Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Kapadia opened up about the significant role of financial support in advancing films within the Oscar race, likening the process to a “lobby.”
Reflecting on her experience, Kapadia noted that the Oscar system’s intricate dynamics are something she’s only now beginning to understand. She acknowledged the influence of Aamir Khan’s financial backing for Laapataa Ladies, commenting that such support can greatly aid a film’s journey to Hollywood. “In a way, it’s a sensible choice because the Oscars operate like a lobby. I’m learning about this entire process now,” she remarked.
Kapadia shared her deep connection with All We Imagine As Light, a personal project that took five years to complete, relying solely on grants and fundraising rather than private financing. Despite her film’s success at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix, it lacked the financial backing often needed for an Oscar push. “Having financial support takes a film much further than when you do not have any money,” she observed.
She expressed satisfaction with her film’s journey, celebrating its completion and recognition at Cannes as a triumph in itself. Although it wasn’t selected for the Oscars, Kapadia views her film’s release in India as the most meaningful achievement, eagerly awaiting audience reactions.
For those unfamiliar, All We Imagine As Light made waves internationally, yet its absence from the Oscars submission list surprised many, sparking conversation around the factors that influence such decisions. Kapadia’s reflections shed light on the challenging realities faced by independent filmmakers in the competitive world of global cinema.