Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia made history last week by becoming the first person from India to win the prestigious Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which is the second-highest prize after the Palme d’Or. Kapadia's film, "All We Imagine As Light," is a drama about two Malayali nurses who have moved to a beautifully shot Mumbai, navigating life, love, and sisterhood. This marks the first Indian film in three decades to compete in Cannes’ main competition.
Cannes Win for India
In her acceptance speech, Kapadia expressed her disbelief at winning the award and urged the Cannes jury not to wait another 30 years to include another Indian film in the competition. The jury this year included director Greta Gerwig and actor Lily Gladstone. The win has sparked widespread celebration across India, with many, including top politicians, acknowledging its significance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride in Kapadia's historic achievement, praising her for showcasing India's rich creativity on the global stage. Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Indian National Congress, also congratulated Kapadia, highlighting the inspiration she provides to the Indian film fraternity. He also congratulated Anasuya Sengupta, the first Indian actor to win Best Actress in the festival's Un Certain Regard section for her role in “The Shameless.”
All We Imagine As Light's Plot & Recognition
The film "All We Imagine As Light" received an eight-minute standing ovation at its premiere during the festival. The film’s portrayal of the romance between the main character Prabha (played by Kani Kusruti) and her Muslim boyfriend (Hridhu Haroon) has been seen as particularly bold, given India's increasing religious polarization. India, while being the largest film-producing country in the world, often struggles to gain international recognition at major awards. Recent successes include the Telegu-language film "RRR," which won an Oscar for Best Original Song, and "The Elephant Whisperers," which won Best Documentary Short. Kapadia’s win is seen as a significant milestone for India’s independent film scene, which often feels overshadowed by mainstream productions.
What does this win mean for Indian Cinema?
India is one of the largest movie-producing countries in the world. Much of our regional cinema is underrated and often garners awards on international platforms. Closer home, our audiences don't appreciate the nuanced nature of regional cinema and many stories that are emerging from widespread corners of the country. Maybe the recognition has to begin from home. OTT has successfully helped break the barrier, but there needs to be a larger acknowledgement of our achievements in curating stories from across the country. This win has put Indian cinema on the map, but we should not rest on our laurels.
