All We Imagine As Light

Story: Malayali nurses Anu (Divya Prabha) and Prabha (Kani Kusruti) find solace in each other as they grapple with the chaotic and demanding life in Mumbai. With no support system, the co-workers and roommates could relate to Parvaty’s (Chhaya Kadam) dilemma, who struggles to protect her modest home from builders.

Review: Payal Kapadia’s enchanting ode to sisterhood and the glaring contrasts of Mumbai has a tranquil charm to it. There’s a certain tenderness and ease to the flow in storytelling that makes you see the city in a new light, even if you have been a Mumbaikar all your life. Watching Kapadia’s three protagonists setting themselves free from societal and psychological shackles to embrace their desires, gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.

AWIAL sets the mood and tone, right from the captivating docu-style opening sequence. It captures the inner thoughts and hardships of Mumbai’s working class. The camera captures local trains, rain-soaked streets, open markets, bhaaji bazaar and tired people returning home at night with the hope of a better tomorrow.

“Mumbai keeps you so busy that you don’t even have time to process heartbreak”, confesses a woman. Kapadia juxtaposes the gorgeous sights and sounds of Mumbai with its harsh reality. Mumbai accepts everyone with open arms but it can also be demanding and unforgiving.

Three women standing by each other as they navigate their lives in the city forms the crux of the story. Prabha, the senior head nurse is a norm-abiding woman. She hopes to hear from her husband someday, who left for Germany. The feeling of being abandoned and not even considered worthy of an apology or a phone call from him, haunts her. She refrains herself from being loved by anyone because of her marital status. Anu is younger and believes in living life on her terms. Parvaty is a widow and dreams of a peaceful life in her coastal village.

The performances and cinematography are magical. AWIAL’s two parts are strikingly different but it doesn’t miss a beat even as it transitions. The first half is dedicated to life in Mumbai and the second, to a gorgeous village by the sea. The latter half gets more spiritual, allowing fantasy to take flight as Prabha gets closure.

There’s this mysterious, meditative quality to this film that feels cathartic. It makes you want to believe that you have every right to be happy.