Filmmaker Payal Kapadia has etched her name in the annals of Indian cinema by winning the Grand Prix or the jury award in the prestigious Palme d’Or category at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. This accolade marks the first time an Indian film has claimed this honor in 30 years, and it stands as a testament to Kapadia’s talent and perseverance in the fiercely competitive world of filmmaking.
Holding her award and posing with her cast, Kapadia’s triumph with her film ‘All That We Imagine As Light’ reverberates beyond the glitz and glamour of Cannes. The film festival, held annually at the French Riviera, is known for its discerning jury and the prominence it bestows upon films that explore profound human experiences through the lens of cinema.
The milestone reached by Kapadia and her team on the final day of Cannes 2024 was a historic moment for India. Not since Chetan Anand’s ‘Neecha Nagar’ in 1946 has an Indian film won such a significant award at Cannes. ‘Neecha Nagar’ won what is equivalent to today’s Palme d’Or, underlining the magnitude of Kapadia’s achievement.
The journey that led Payal Kapadia to Cannes 2024 is as compelling as her films. Her early days were marked by a fierce battle against authority, which branded her an anti-national for leading a protest against Gajendra Chauhan’s appointment as the head of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 2015. During this tumultuous period, Kapadia, then a student at FTII, spearheaded a four-month-long protest that became the longest demonstration the prestigious institute had ever witnessed.
Kapadia, along with other students, demanded the removal of Chauhan, a former television actor best known for his role as Yudhishthira in the historical series Mahabharat. They questioned his competency to chair the institute, citing his limited experience in filmmaking as opposed to acting in B-rated films and making cameo appearances. The protest led to significant tensions, culminating in Pune Police filing an FIR against Kapadia and 34 other students for allegedly holding the FTII director, Prashant Pathrabe, captive. Their incomplete assignments were also a source of contention that catalyzed the administration’s strict actions.
Despite these challenges, Kapadia’s resolve only strengthened. Her first brush with Cannes came in 2017 with the screening of her short film ‘Afternoon Clouds’. The institute, notwithstanding past frictions, extended support for her travel to the festival.
. This initial exposure to Cannes laid the foundation for her future successes.
Kapadia’s documentary film ‘A Night Of Knowing Nothing’ debuted at the Directors’ Fortnight at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and won the L’Œil d’or award for Best Documentary Film. The documentary’s premiering at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival further cemented her reputation, winning one of the Amplify Voices Awards. The narrative, presented through letters from an Indian university student to her estranged lover, unearthed the significant societal and personal upheavals experienced by students in India.
The crowning glory came with ‘All That We Imagine As Light’. By winning the Grand Prix, Kapadia’s work did not just capture the jury’s acclaim but also resonated deeply with audiences. The film tells the story of female friendship against the vibrant, chaotic backdrop of Mumbai. It stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chayya Kadam, who bring to life a complex narrative of solidarity, empathy, and inclusivity.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Kapadia emphasized the importance of female friendships, especially in a society that often pits women against each other. “This film is about the friendship between three different women. 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 we should always strive for,” she articulated, receiving thunderous applause.
Kapadia’s historic achievement serves as an inspiration, reflecting not only her mastery in storytelling but also her unwavering dedication to addressing societal issues through her films. As India celebrates this monumental victory, Payal Kapadia continues to pave the way for future generations of filmmakers, proving that persistence, talent, and a commitment to one’s vision can indeed script history.
