In a groundbreaking moment for Indian cinema, the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival has concluded with Payal Kapadia’s ‘All That We Imagine As Light’ clinching the prestigious Grand Prix. Set against the bustling backdrop of Mumbai, the movie beautifully portrays the tale of female friendship. Featuring stellar performances by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chayya Kadam, the film marks a significant achievement as it becomes the first Indian movie in three decades to make it to the main competition, the Palme d’Or.
On the final day of the Cannes 2024 Film Festival, the Indian film industry celebrated an extraordinary achievement as Payal Kapadia’s ‘All That We Imagine As Light’ was honored with the Grand Prix. This is a moment of great pride for Indian cinema, particularly considering the film’s compelling narrative focusing on the bond between three women against the vibrant and diverse backdrop of Mumbai. The inclusion of this film in the festival’s main competition is a historic event, as it is the first Indian film to receive this honor in the last 30 years.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Payal Kapadia emphasized the central theme of her movie— the importance of female friendship in a society often designed to pit women against each other. “This film is about the friendship between three different women, and often times women are pitted against each other. This is the way our society is designed and it is really unfortunate. But for me, friendship is an important relationship. It can lead to greater solidarity and inclusivity and empathy towards each other which is why I feel these are the values which we should always strive for,” she expressed, resulting in a well-deserved thunderous applause from the audience.
Shortly after the announcement of the film’s victory, members of the Indian film community expressed their excitement and congratulated Payal Kapadia and her team through various social media platforms.
One of the first to respond was noted filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. He took to social media congratulating the ‘All That We Imagine As Light’ team and hailed Payal as a source of hope and inspiration for many. Kashyap’s tribute recognized the hard work and dedication of the team behind the film.
Actress Richa Chadha also joined the celebrations, expressing her joy on her X handle: “HISTORIC!!! 🥹 Just beaming from this news! Congratulations Payal Kapadia, Ranabir Das, Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Hridhu Haroon, Chhaya Kadam and the whole team of ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT! Just overjoyed! Independent filmmaking at any point of time is hard, but now is actively scuttled, and then to win a GRAND PRIX! Ooof. Just thrilled.”
Writer-director Varun Grover captured the euphoria and significance of the moment in his post: “Unbelievable day for Indian cinema. An independent filmmaker – from much hated FTII – whose first film was a poetic love letter to the idea of dissent in a democracy, wins the second highest honour at the biggest film festival in the world.
. Payal Kapadia’s ‘ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT’ wins GRAND PRIX. Magical to see four Indian women on stage at Cannes. Dissent, in art and in life, is a tough path to choose. But sometimes it does create magic.”
Other prominent figures from the Indian film industry such as Parvathy Thiruvothu, Tovino Thomas, and Farhan Akhtar shared their excitement and pride through their social media pages as well. The convergence of congratulatory messages demonstrated the unity and admiration within the Indian film fraternity for this monumental achievement.
Parvathy Thiruvothu posted a heartfelt message, commending the team for their dedication and success. Similarly, Tovino Thomas expressed his admiration, highlighting the film’s artistic and cultural significance. Farhan Akhtar also conveyed his congratulations, acknowledging the tremendous efforts of Payal Kapadia and her team.
Mammootty, another well-known name in the Indian cinema industry, added his voice to the chorus of appreciation. He tweeted, “Making Indian Cinema Proud. What an amazing achievement. Congrats to Payal Kapadia, Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and the entire team of ‘All We Imagine as Light.'”
The film ‘All That We Imagine As Light’ revolves around the poignant theme of female friendship, a subject that is often overshadowed by societal constructs. Payal Kapadia’s narrative sheds light on the importance of solidarity, inclusivity, and empathy in relationships, asserting that these values are essential for a harmonious society.
As the Cannes Film Festival 2024 draws to a close, the victory of ‘All That We Imagine As Light’ stands as a testament to the growing influence and recognition of Indian cinema on a global platform. This historic win not only elevates the stature of the film but also serves as an inspiration for independent filmmakers, reinforcing the belief that dedication and artistry can indeed transcend boundaries and create magic.
With accolades pouring in from all quarters, Payal Kapadia’s triumph at Cannes marks a milestone, celebrating the richness of Indian storytelling and the power of filmmaking to foster empathy and understanding among diverse audiences.
