India’s Cannes Film Festival Triumph: Payal Kapadia Makes History with ‘All We Imagine As Light’

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📷 Image Credits: CNN

India made history at the 77th Cannes Film Festival as filmmaker Payal Kapadia clinched the prestigious Grand Prix for her movie ‘All We Imagine As Light.’ The film follows two Malayali nurses in Mumbai, marking the first Indian film in 30 years to compete in Cannes’ main competition. Kapadia’s win reverberated across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising her remarkable talent and inspiring a new generation of Indian filmmakers. Leader of the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, also congratulated Kapadia and Anasuya Sengupta, the first Indian actor to win Best Actress at the festival. Sooni Taraporevala, the screenwriter of ‘Salaam Bombay!,’ described Kapadia’s win as ‘unprecedented’ and highlighted its impact on women and the indie film space. The film’s depiction of the romance between the main characters has been lauded for its boldness in reflecting a polarized society. Despite India’s large film industry, it still lags behind Hollywood in international recognition. ‘All We Imagine As Light’ garnered an eight-minute standing ovation at its premiere, showcasing its impact. Kapadia’s previous award-winning documentary and her call to not wait another 30 years for an Indian film at Cannes added to the significance of her win. The Cannes Film Festival has a rich history with Indian cinema, with Kapadia joining the ranks of past winners to bring pride to the nation.