All We Imagine as Light: Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently opened up about the struggles of parallel cinema in India during an event hosted by KHUSHII, an NGO founded by cricket legend Kapil Dev. Addressing the limited theatrical run of the critically acclaimed film All We Imagine as Light in India, Azmi highlighted the challenges smaller films face in competing with blockbusters like Pushpa 2: The Rule. Also Read |‘All We Imagine As Light’ Gets Re-release With Better Showtimes
Celebrating Global Success of Parallel Cinema
Speaking at the ADC (Art Design Culture Collective) event, Shabana Azmi lauded filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light, a film that has garnered two Golden Globe nominations and a Critics Choice Awards nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Despite receiving widespread acclaim, including a historic win at the Cannes Film Festival with the Grand Prize, the film struggled to secure screen space in Indian theatres.
Azmi noted the growing disparity between mainstream and independent films, saying, “Oh, but you cannot stop making mainstream films because you want to create audiences for different kinds of cinema. But the fact that it has been applauded all over the world shows that there is a place that is available. We have to cultivate the possibility of that film reaching the right audiences.”
The Need for a Better Theatrical Ecosystem
The actress emphasized the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for independent films. According to Azmi, smaller theatres and distributors must collaborate to provide such films with a fair platform, free from the high rentals associated with mainstream cinemas.
“What is really needed is a system of theatrical release and distribution that will ensure that these films actually get seen in smaller theatres where they don’t have to pay the huge rentals of mainstream films. There is a whole ecosystem that needs to be followed up to make something extraordinary possible,” she added.
Calling Audiences Back to Cinemas
Addressing the changing habits of viewers, Shabana Azmi urged audiences to support unique storytelling in theatres rather than waiting for films to release on OTT platforms. She stated, “At the moment, there is this feeling that the film will come to OTT anyway, so even if we miss it in theatres, it doesn’t matter. That somehow has to change. People need to go back to cinemas, not just for big spectacles but to appreciate films that tell stories in unique ways.”
Balancing Mainstream and Independent Films
While recognizing the dominance of mainstream films like Pushpa 2, Azmi reiterated the need to foster an audience for independent cinema in India. The limited release of All We Imagine as Light earlier this month serves as a reminder of the challenges parallel cinema faces despite international recognition.
Azmi’s insights call for a collective effort to ensure that extraordinary films, celebrated globally, find their rightful place in Indian theatres.
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