The film, 'All We Imagine As Light', made history at the 77th Cannes Film Festival when it became the first Indian film to win a Grand Prix-the festival's second most prestigious prize, behind only the Palm d'Or.
'All We Imagine As Light' was written and directed by Payal Kapadia, who received the award with actresses Chhaya Kadam, Divya Prabha and Kani Kusruti. "The story is about the city and the people who come to work in Mumbai," says Kapadia, and follows the story of two nurses, played by Kusruti and Prabha, who move from Kerala to the metropolis. Among other things, the film has been praised for its bold depiction of romance between Prabha and her Muslim boyfriend. After its screening, it received an eight-minute-long standing ovation.
Kapadia's masterpiece is the first Indian film to feature in the festival's main segment in thirty years, the last one being Shaji Karun's Swaham in 1994. "Please don't wait another thirty years to have an Indian film," Kapadia said at the festival's closing ceremony.
The victory has caused much celebration in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting that "India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat," and that "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."
The 77th Cannes Film Festival saw other Indian victories: Kolkata native Anasuya Sengupta won the Un Certain Regard Prize for Best Actress for her role in 'The Shameless', and Shyam Benegal's 'Manthan' ('The Churning') was screened in the Cannes Classics section.
Kapadia is no stranger to Cannes, having won the L'Oeil d'Or award in 2021 for her documentary, 'A Night of Knowing Nothing.'
