LIGHTS, CAMERA, CANNES!

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, in conversation with Ekta Sinha on how she brings to life her unique female perspective

On May 25, 2024, India watched Payal Kapadia bring home the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. What was interesting is that most of us had never heard of her before this point. I recall endlessly refreshing X, waiting for that one announcement because someone from our country had a real chance at winning that distinguished accolade. And she did it. Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’ wasn’t only selected for Cannes’ main competition; it marked a historic moment with the Grand Prix win. It was also the first Indian film in three decades to compete and win in this esteemed category. With an eight-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, this film solidified Kapadia’s place among the world’s most promising filmmakers. For ELLE India’s anniversary issue, Kapadia let us in on her creative process and the story behind this film.

AN ODE TO MUMBAI