Why Divya Prabha, ‘All We Imagine as Light’ Star, Is Trending

Malayalam actress and the star of Cannes award winning movie Payal Kapadia-directed All We Imagine as Light, Divya Prabha, has been trending since the theatrical release of the movie recently. While the movie has won critical acclaim and awards, social media buzz centres on the intimate scenes between Divya and her co-star Hridhu Haroon. Searches like “Divya Prabha latest video,” “Divya Prabha All We Imagine as Light video,” and “Divya Prabha hot video” have surged, reflecting a mix of curiosity and male gaze in the country. The searches are mostly concentrated on the urge for looking at an intimate scene rather than the artistic value of the movie and the actress who brought laurels to India from Cannes after a long gap.

Many observed on social media that Divya Prabha’s achievements speak volumes about her talent and dedication, rather than the searches and curiosity surrounding less than a minute long intimate scenes in the film.

At 32, she’s had a remarkable journey, from minor roles in Malayalam films to international acclaim. Raised in Kerala’s Thrissur, Divya Prabha’s first connection with cinema was a visit to Mumbai with her father, where she witnessed filmmaking up close. Years later, during a morning jog in Kochi, she stumbled upon a film shoot and landed a minor role in the Malayalam film Lokpal (2013) of Malayalam great Mohanlal and this unexpected debut set the stage for a flourishing career for the actress in Kerala and beyond.

Her breakthrough came with Mahesh Narayanan’s Take Off (2017) of Parvathy and Fahadh Faasil, where she portrayed Jincy, a nurse, earning her widespread recognition. Interestingly, her character in All We Imagine as Light is also a nurse but with a completely different narrative. “Both roles are poles apart,” she told a media house. Take Off marked a turning point, but it was Ariyippu (2022) and Family (2023) that showcased her ability to portray complex, silenced women fighting and surviving in oppressive systems.

Divya Prabha’s performance in Ariyippu, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, was internationally acclaimed, with the film premiering at the Locarno Film Festival and releasing on Netflix. Her role in Don Palathara’s Family, a project which has resonance with the well documented Malayalam parallel movie culture, further cemented her reputation for choosing compelling, nuanced characters.

Her latest film, All We Imagine as Light, made history as the first Indian film in 30 years to win the Grand Prix at Cannes. Divya Prabha along with her co-stars including Kani Kusruti, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon walked the red carpet in a stunning copper gown by Pranaah, earning applause not just for her performance but also for her elegance. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” she said of the Cannes experience.

The film, a bilingual narrative in Malayalam and Hindi, delves into the lives of two Malayali nurses in Mumbai. Directed by a woman, the movie explores themes of liberation and intimacy with sensitivity. Divya says working with Payal Kapadia and a predominantly female crew was both empowering and creatively fulfilling.

From her television debut in Eshwaran Sakshiyayi, which won her a Kerala State Television Award, to her role in All We Imagine as Light, she has consistently pushed boundaries, and her journey has been inspiring. “Acting requires observation and empathy,” she says, reflecting on her process.