Indian Filmmaker Payal Kapadia has brought a proud moment for India by bringing the Grand Prix home. Payal Kapadia’s film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ won the second-highest award of the Cannes Film Festival 2024, scripting history by becoming the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix. It was awarded to Payal and the team at the closing ceremony of the film festival on Saturday 25th May.
All We Imagine As Light by Payal Kapadia became the first film to compete in the main competition for the Palme d’Or title after 30 years. Prior to this, Shaji N Karun’s ‘Swaham’ was the last film to compete in the main competition in 1994.
Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light is a story of 3 ladies portrayed by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam. It was premiered at Cannes on 23rd May and received 8 minutes of standing ovation. While receiving this award, Payal expressed herself, she said, “I’m very nervous, so I wrote something down. Thank you to the Cannes Film Festival for having our film here. Please don’t wait 30 years to have another Indian film. This film is about friendship, about three very different women. Oftentimes, women are pitted against each other. This is the way our society is designed and it is really unfortunate. But for me, friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity and empathy.” She also thanked her fellow teammates without whom the project would be incomplete.
Her victory is almost celebrated as a festival in India. It is indeed a proud moment for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her. Taking to X, he wrote, “India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat of winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her work ‘All We Imagine as Light’. An alumnus of FTII, her remarkable talent continues to shine on the global stage, giving a glimpse of the rich creativity in India. This prestigious accolade not only honours her exceptional skills but also inspires a new generation of Indian filmmakers.”
India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat of winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her work ‘All We Imagine as Light’. An alumnus of FTII, her remarkable talent continues to shine on the global stage, giving a glimpse of the rich creativity in… pic.twitter.com/aMJbsbmNoE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2024
All We Imagine As Light is a story of two nurses, Prabha and Anu, who go on a long road trip where they get the space to manifest their dreams.