The Cannes Grand Prix-winning filmmaker reflects on how the Malayalam translation shaped the emotional and cultural depth of her film’s title.
A Title Rooted in Meaning, Not Just Words
When Payal Kapadia named her film All We Imagine as Light, she wasn’t simply choosing a poetic phrase — she was anchoring her story’s emotional core. The title, layered in metaphor and meaning, evolved organically during the scriptwriting process, and became central to how the film’s themes of yearning, identity, and emotional release were framed.
- At the heart of the film is Prabha, a nurse navigating inner conflicts.
- Her name itself means “light,” and was intentionally chosen to tie character and theme together.
“When writing the script, I was keen to call the character ‘Prabha,’ as I knew it meant light, so I could later somehow incorporate it in the title,” Kapadia revealed in a recent interview.
Malayalam Translation: A Cultural Mirror
In Malayalam, the film is titled Prabhayay Ninachathellam — a direct translation of the English title, but with added emotional texture.
- Prabhayay (towards light) draws attention to Prabha’s personal journey.
- It creates a layered duality: light as hope, and Prabha as a beacon of transformation.
Kapadia credits her co-writer Robin Joy and filmmaker Kamal K M for shaping the nuances of the title, especially in its regional form. The trio worked closely to ensure that the linguistic and cultural essence wasn’t lost in translation.
“Kamal always gave us good advice on language-related issues,” Kapadia noted, appreciating the depth that Malayalam brought to the title.
More Than a Phrase — A Reflection of Longing
The title All We Imagine as Light captures more than just the film’s visual or thematic tone — it echoes the deep-seated desires of its characters.
- Prabha receives a gift from her estranged husband, triggering emotional unrest.
- Anu, her younger roommate, seeks love and intimacy with her boyfriend.
- Together, they embark on a coastal trip that becomes a journey of introspection and quiet rebellion.
In this light — both metaphorical and literal — the title reflects a longing for warmth, freedom, and clarity in lives often dimmed by circumstance.
Kerala’s Embrace of Language and Narrative
Kapadia’s film was recently featured at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), where it was met with praise, despite sparking some debate.
- The film’s themes of nudity, modern desire, and personal autonomy generated conversation.
- Yet, its acceptance among Kerala’s young audience — known for their appreciation of arthouse cinema — highlighted the growing space for sensitive, layered storytelling.
The Malayalam title resonated deeply in a region where language and cinema are intricately linked, offering a localized emotional lens through which to view the film.
Light as a Lived Metaphor
Kapadia’s thoughtful titling choice reinforces how language shapes interpretation — not just through direct meaning, but through cultural intimacy.
The English version emphasizes philosophical longing, while the Malayalam title brings Prabha’s character to the foreground, underscoring how light is both a metaphor and a person in the story.
“The title reflects hope,” says Kapadia. “What we imagine as light may not be what we see, but what we strive for.”
