Hey there, film buffs and news junkies! Here’s a juicy piece of information for you – Payal Kapadia, the talented filmmaker, just made waves at the 77th Cannes Film Festival by snagging the Grand Prix for her film ‘All We Can Imagine As Light’. But did you know that back in 2015, she was a rebellious student at the prestigious Film & Television Institute of India (FTII)?
Back in 2015, FTII was in a bit of a pickle due to the controversial appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman. Kapadia, along with other students, led a 131-day protest against Chauhan, who was best known for his role as Yudhishtir in the TV serial ‘Mahabharat’. The protest garnered support from big Bollywood names like Rajkummar Rao and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as well as acclaimed actors like Soumitra Chatterjee and Jhanu Barua.
Kapadia’s activism didn’t sit well with FTII authorities, who initiated disciplinary action against her and even cut her grant. Things escalated when she, along with 34 other students, held the then FTII director captive in his office over a dispute regarding student projects. Despite the controversies, Kapadia continued to make her mark creatively, with her film ‘Afternoon Clouds’ being the only Indian entry in competition at Cannes in 2017.
Fast forward to 2021, Kapadia’s debut docu-feature ‘A Night of Knowing Nothing’ won the prestigious Golden Eye at Cannes, where she once again made headlines. The film, which delves into the themes of FTII and Hindutva politics, is yet to be released in India.
For Kapadia, who studied Economics at St Xavier’s College and spent years in advertising before pursuing her passion for filmmaking at FTII, the Grand Prix win must have felt like a sweet victory after a long and challenging journey. So here’s to Payal Kapadia, the fearless filmmaker who conquered Cannes and continues to shine bright in the world of cinema!
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