Payal Kapadia made history as the first Indian to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 with her film All We Imagine As Light.
She was formerly a student at Pune’s Film and Television Institute of India, and she was also opposed to Gajendra Chauhan being the institute’s chairperson.
In an interview, Gajendra was questioned about Payal’s Cannes success as well as their previous disagreements.
The Mahabharat actor told Times Now that he is really proud of her and would like to congratulate her on her achievement. Speaking on the past, he stated, “The matter is in court now. Let me tell you, there is a vast difference between being talented and being disciplined. Talent is all very fine but being disciplined is also very important.”
It is a moment of pride for FTII as its Alumni create history at Cannes.
As we witness a phenomenal year for Indian Cinema at 77th Cannes Film Festival, FTII cherishes the glorious achievements of its Alumni at this Mega International Stage of Cinema.#cannes2024 #cannesawards pic.twitter.com/3fFURhzuSK
— FTII (@FTIIOfficial) May 26, 2024
He was also questioned regarding the action taken against her, to which she responded that he could not recollect accurately that her name was on the charge sheet.
Prashant Pathrabe, then-FTII director, hijacked the numerous student groups participating. He was kept without his will for 12-14 hours and had diabetes.
In 2015, Payal and former FTII chairman Gajendra Chauhan Payal protested against the selection of BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as Chairperson of the Film & Television Institute of India, Pune, for 139 days between June and October 2015.
PAYAL KAPADIA, lauréate du Grand Prix pour ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT.
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PAYAL KAPADIA, award winner of the Grand Prix for ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT.#Cannes2024 #Palmares #Awards #GrandPrix pic.twitter.com/nE16YOvLeC— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 25, 2024
In 2015, a FIR was lodged against Payal and 34 other students for imprisoning FTII director Prashant Pathrabe in his office. Payal and her pals opposed FTII director Prashant’s decision to examine the 2008 batch of students’ incomplete projects.
Payal and other students declined the scholarships because they faced disciplinary action.
Payal made her Cannes debut in 2017 with the short film Afternoon Clouds. She took her documentary, A Night of Knowing Nothing, to Cannes in 2021. For the same reason, she also received the Golden Eye Award.
Now, she has made history as the first Indian to receive the Grand Prix Award at Cannes 2024 for her film All We Imagine as Light.
