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Payal Kapadia Calls for Support of Indie Films in Response to Anurag Kashyap’s Critique
Filmmaker Advocates for Systemic Changes to Aid Independent Cinema
Payal Kapadia’s film All We Imagine As Light, featuring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, made headlines at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival by becoming the first Indian film since 1994 to compete in the main competition and subsequently win the Grand Prix. Although this achievement brought significant pride to India, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap highlighted ongoing issues in the support system for indie films in an interview with PTI, pointing out that the government has yet to deliver on a promised rebate for this film.
Kashyap emphasized the decline in support for independent cinema, noting that the financial backing for Kapadia’s film largely came from French funding sources. In a conversation with News18 Showsha, Kapadia echoed Kashyap’s sentiments, advocating for the necessary structural changes in the film industry that could enable independent filmmakers to thrive. She stated, “To be honest, I don’t know what can bring about change. We need structural changes in the industry, opportunities for independent filmmakers, grants that they can apply for or some kind of support system.”
Kapadia elaborated on the complexity of independent filmmaking beyond mere production challenges. She pointed out, “The bigger question is, how do you distribute a film like that?” Expressing her gratitude, she noted, “That’s why I’m very happy that Spirit Media is distributing my film. It’s a great thing for me that an independent film like All We Imagine As Light will get distributed and be shown in so many cities.”
When asked if the acclaim for her project might influence mainstream studios to consider her work, Kapadia replied with caution: “Who knows? The only thing I can say is that all of this has helped me with is public speaking.” She acknowledged the long timeline often associated with independent filmmaking, mentioning, “It would also be great if those in mainstream also take some time out to support independent films. At the end of the day, we co-exist in the same industry.”
Following a successful circuit through various international film festivals, All We Imagine As Light recently premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. The event drew notable figures from Bollywood, including Kabir Khan, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vishal Bhardwaj, Ramesh Sippy, and Waheeda Rehman, among others.
Kapadia expressed her joy at having her film showcased for her peers, stating, “I’m happy that the film fraternity could watch my film. The fraternity includes a lot of my friends, some of whom I had met when I was a student at the FTII. Some of them also sent me some really nice messages after our Cannes win. For anybody who makes films, they know it very well that without friends and a great crew, it’s impossible to make a film.”
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