From Protests to Prestige: Payal Kapadia's Cannes Triumph Amid Legal Battle

Director of All We Imagine as Light, Payal Kapadia, who took home the Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, is scheduled to testify in court one month from now for her suspected role in the 2015 FTII demonstrations against the nomination of Pune institute chairman Gajendra Chauhan.

A key participant in the 139-day protest, Kapadia lost her scholarship and became entangled in a court battle.

Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty recently shared reflections on Kapadia's experience on Facebook. Her Cannes accomplishment was hailed by him, who described it as evidence of the tenacity and commitment of FTII alumni.

"After returning from Cannes, Payal (Accused No. 25) attends her court case hearing the following month, which the FTII filed against her for refusing to accept Mr. Chouhan's nomination as Chairman! The sound designer for Slumdog Millionaire wrote, "Interesting isn't it?"

Pookutty emphasized in his post the difficulties experienced by students at FTII and SRFTI, as well as the wider ramifications of Kapadia's accomplishment.

Pookutty also criticized government delegations and the mainstream Indian cinema industry for failing to encourage talents such as Kapadia. He emphasized the cultural and historical relevance of FTII, saying that it has served as an inspiration to numerous generations of filmmakers and has frequently been perceived as anti-establishment by succeeding administrations.

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