Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia scripted history at the 77th Cannes Film Festival after her film All We Imagine As Light bagged the second-highest honour, the Grand Prix, making her the first Indian filmmaker to receive the award. It is the first Indian film in 30 years to compete in the main competition at Cannes.
Payal Kapadia is an alumnus of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. During her time at FTII, she led a student protest against the appointment of actor-politician Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of her alma mater, reported The Hindu. Gajendra Chauhan, who played the role of Yudhisthir in the television serial Mahabharat allegedly did not match the vision and stature of past chairmen of the FTII governing council and his appointment was apparently “politically coloured”.
Payal Kapadia led the student protest for 139 days. They also held the then-FTII director Prashant Pathrabe captive in his office in 2015. Strict disciplinary action was taken against her and other students and their scholarships were revoked, reported Hindustan Times. But that’s not all. An FIR was lodged against Kapadia and 34 other students and they were booked for offences such as unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation and rioting.
However, in 2017, Payal Kapadia’s short film ‘Afternoon Clouds’ was selected to be premiered at the 70th Cannes Film Festival in the Cinéfondation selection. The then-FTII director Bhupendra Kainthola issued a letter of support and covered her travel expenses. She returned to Cannes in 2021 with her documentary ‘A Night of Knowing Nothing’. The documentary won the Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) award, cementing Kapadia’s status as a significant voice in world cinema.
FTII took to X to share a congratulatory note for Payal Kapadia, calling it a “moment of pride” for the institute.
It is a moment of pride for FTII as its Alumni create history at Cannes.
As we witness a phenomenal year for Indian Cinema at 77th Cannes Film Festival, FTII cherishes the glorious achievements of its Alumni at this Mega International Stage of Cinema.#cannes2024 #cannesawards pic.twitter.com/3fFURhzuSK
— FTII (@FTIIOfficial) May 26, 2024
We hope that Payal Kapadia’s films are seen in every part of the world!