‘Archaic dinosaurs’: Social media not impressed as FFI jury head calls All We Imagine as Light ‘technically poor’

There was sharp criticism against the Film Federation of India (FFI) choosing Laapataa Ladies as India’s official Oscar entry. Bollywood veteran Hansal Mehta was one of the strong voices in favour of All We Imagine as Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, to be a way better choice. Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, is now out of the Oscar 2025 competition.

FFI President Ravi Kottarakara earlier told the Hindustan Times that All We Imagine as Light was “a European film taking place in India”.

“The jury said that they were watching a European film taking place in India, not an Indian film taking place in India,” he told HT.

In an interview with HT, FFI jury head Jahnu Barua has now defended the selection of Laapataa Ladies.

“The jury felt that the films which have gone to the Oscars in the last few years lacked Indian-ness. A film needs to represent the nation. We felt that Laapataa Ladies had all the right elements and presented the social chaos we go through brilliantly,” he said.

At the same time, he called All We Imagine as Light technically “poor”.

“The jury felt that her film was very poor technically,” he said.

Social media reactions

Some social media users have not taken Jahnu Barua’s comments well.

“Jahnu Barua says all we imagine as light was poor technically! Haha these archaic dinosaurs decide which movies are more indian , how many big awards did he win internationallly I would like to know,” wrote one user.

“Jahnu Barua with interview with Hindustan Times called All We Imagine as Light ” Technically Poor ” I can’t even!! The cinematography is impeccable .. I hate it here!!” remarked another user.

“There’ll be no accountability for them unlike France. This committee has single-handedly torpedoed 3 gauranteed nominations for India in the past decade or so- LUNCHBOX, RRR & ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT. Its a committee for score-settling, petty grudges & jealously sabotaging peers,” wrote another.

“So dumb that All We Imagine as Light wasn’t even submitted,” came from another.

“Jahnu Barua got blood on his hands.This is generational fumble in on you,live with it,” one user commented.