Rocking Cannes’24 | Payal Kapadia and Ranabir Das | All We Imagine As Light | Anupama Chopra

Director Payal Kapadia and cinematographer Ranabir Das speak to Anupama Chopra about their film All We Imagine as Light, which is the first Indian film to be part of the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 30 years. Kapadia talks about the themes that inform the film - which had been in the works for many years - from the contradictions of city life to the power of friendship. Das talks about how he captured the grim beauty of Mumbai, while Kapadia shares about how the actors and their camaraderie elevated the project. The duo speak about the importance of a space like the Film and Television Institute of India in providing opportunities to aspiring filmmakers across the country, as well as their hope to eventually release the film in India.
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The Film Companion is a web channel intended to promote Indian cinema through films review, interviews, discussions, video essays, and analytical compilations. It is intended primarily for the purpose of encouraging informed discussions, criticism, and review of cinema and towards such purpose, the programs use short extracts of cinematograph films, sound recording, and photographic works. These clips and extracts are of a minimal nature and the use is not intended to interfere in any manner with their commercial exploitation of the complete work by the owners of the copyright. The use of works is in compliance with the fair dealing exception provided under Sec. 52 of the Copyright Act, and we assert our use of the works under the exception provided for criticism and review.

[@ankitzharbade678]

The way Ranabir looks at Payal while she speaks shows how much intimacy they share and that translates in their film. Congratulations!

[@user-yx2jm4oq3s]

Malayalam Cinema is literally the heart of Indian Cinema. Love to Kerala from Mumbai. ❤️

[@Selinnaguz]

Payal Kapadia is Gujarati and made a film in Malayalam and its shown in Cannes Film Festival, this is the beauty of India🇮🇳❤️

[@cyberfan1]

Indeed. I hope, in the years ahead we do jot loose that beautiful uniqueness to a false narrative about one dominant language, religion, caste, culture … that some people, out of pure self interest, may he foisting upon us.

[@abhikdas3652]

But it was produced by foreigners. Shameful that such films don’t get local funding.

[@sounilalochee5648]

No Bollywood, Tollywood, only Indian cinema! Indian talent honoured at Cannes 🎉

[@madhav1956]

And with a story set in Mumbai and rural Maharashtra Ratnagiri

[@kasturiswami784]

My daughter is also from ftii and made lifelong friends. She got the best editor award. Lifelong obsession with films.

[@vaibhavtewaridankshorts876]

Nobody cares until she is famous

[@Capitald95.]

I am also.

[@Capitald95.]

I want to work with your daughter.

[@BrookandWoods]

I watched the film yesterday in Montreal in a packed theatre. I want to talk and write about the film endlessly. The unassuming nature of Payal speaks a lot about her innate genius. She wears all the recognotion coming her way so lightly. Al admiration for her..a director whose work i will be folliwing through .

[@Shyarty1]

You need to be rooted involved in the city or any atmosphere to write good stories which are real. This was always missing in the society called Bollywood.Recent Bollywood directors or producers have not seen life outside their air conditioned cars and Elite homes. That's where Malayalam and Tamil cinema has prided themselves. Looking forward to seeing this film. Congratulations to the team ❤️

[@Selinnaguz]

Payal Kapadia is not Malayali, She is Gujarati❤

[@farisprith]

True, bollywood makers are inside a privileged bubble. That needs to be broken. Talented people should jostle their way into the industry. This is what happened in malayalam cinema around 2010-15.

[@Shyarty1]

​@@Selinnaguz off course. This movie is a great change from the ridiculous movies made by Bollywood directors. This movie is a Malayalam - Hindi movie.

[@braju568]

You nailed it my friend. Very well said. I don't think the mainstream bollywood can ever make films like this.

[@koelchak1]

Indian citizens should wake up and vote for a thriving democracy where creative artists like Payal can thrive. She was labelled by bhajpa as anti national when she protested against the bhajpa takeover of FTII. Shameful what ignorance can do

[@KhattaMeethaOficial]

So Congress will Make it Thrive...???....... Yes We Surely Witnessed in 70 Yrs.

[@ornellaaribam]

​@@KhattaMeethaOficial OP didn't mention anything about Congress.

[@socraticdialogue29.]

Kudos to Payal for making a heart touching film!

[@TheUniverse245]

Congratulations...Love from Kerala❤ for making this movie in Malayalam

[@SarathKumar-i1d]

Wow ❤️... I think Anupama is very happy bcz they said abt the Speciality of Kerala.

[@shwetab5512]

that's the womann the country was calling anti national a few years ago who has done nothing but make India proud

[@arnablahiri7023]

For those Bollywood filmmakers, projected as “Maestro”; who tell so confidently that not a single FTII direction students did well in their industry, not one. Some even ended up saying that they are “useless” in real life film industry unlike NYU. And those who feel all should never go to a film school and go to some elite design school, please reconsider your bias. I think this alumni of FTII has made history and that too with her first featured film! Education and exposure in life have no substitute and role of educational institutions are enormous. It’s up to the person how do they use their experience in real life scenarios.

[@muksman1]

Doesn’t matter they may not talk 🗣️ fluently But this couple wins heart ❤️ Mumbai is speacial

[@nareshdev4119]

Listening to Payal and Ranabir now seems to me that we are part of their family -- a sort of companionship built through "All We Imagine as Light." Whatever Payal has described about the script is a common story of all middle-class people of this so-called "vast nation." I have worked in a hospital and observed nurses from Kerala from close quarters, hence I can endorse her views about their struggles and hardships away from their native places. Delhi is also no different from Mumbai. Payal is correct that "friendship" has no definition; it is an exclusive nameless relation that is built between two unknown people because of common thinking. This film has brought out the genius that was hidden in Payal.

[@thomasthomasphilp4393]

The West appreciates indian films rooted in our culture. Imitation is unwarranted.

[@SS-ow4cj]

Absolutely disagree. West predominantly appreciates work rooted in the philosophies and principles West hypocritically upholds regardless of where it’s rooted in, so long as the content appears artistic.

[@SS-ow4cj]

West neither has the knowledge, wisdom nor any kind of predilection towards understanding Indian classical arts and philosophies and understand work based off of it. It’s a closed loop and an echo chamber. But yeah you can certainly choose to live under that delusion at the expense of decolonization.

[@avt484]

Can't wait to watch it Kerala. Pls. do release it ASAP.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Congratulations to the team!

[@ratnamullick4658]

It was very interesting to listen to the process of film making by talented film makers. Our good wishes to you for bringing home the golden palm.

[@arunaamdekar1397]

Congrts to the team..do release it in mumbai also..🎉

[@niranjana3425]

17:00 Mollywood ❣️

[@pjroy5052]

this film is in malayalam

[@ajayrai6131]

South movies never disappoint me as bollywood ,that's why I like to watch only south movies because their script is feels like reality, congratulations Ma'am and best wishes from my side ,Jai Shri Ram 🙏

[@aj20ad]

Many many congratulations to the team on winning the Grand Prix! ❤

[@KartikeyaDutta]

Won Grand Prix at Cannes!

[@gauthamschessreviews6482]

Big salute to Kerala

[@faryus88]

2 creative introverts coming together for artistic brilliance.

[@poojasinha5378]

Congratulations everyone! So proud!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@limishasm2639]

Love from kerala❤

[@ManojChauhan-gk6gb]

In our country love is extremely castiest though

[@KhushboosChannel]

Payal Riku LOVE loads of it ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@aditibahadur8081]

Proud of you!❤

[@prashantsinha6173]

Palme d' or coming to India

[@KartikeyaDutta]

its grand prix

[@joey3756]

cant wait to watch this film in theatres... will it release tho in India ?

[@ShubhamSharma-q2p]

Pahuch gaye Bollywood waale appropriate karne. Apne business, apni PRbaazi aur apne celebrity culture ke saath Saara distribution, saare OTT Platforms ko hijack karke beithein hain apne kickbacks waale relationships ke zariye... naye writers/directors ki aatma kuchal dete hein aur fir jab wo kuch kar lete hein toh pahuch jaate hain vultures ki tarah appropriate karne.

[@thikridiyebila]

So much so I agree with you and every word you said

[@63-rizwankhan89]

bhai appreciate kehna chah raha hai kya

[@melophile6974]

Where to watch this?

[@ruyahtijner]

Maranasimahasanam murali nair Malayalam ❤️

[@jacobalexander4601]

Congratulations 🎉

[@Love_democracy12]

So refreshing and lovely 😊

[@Yshaaaq]

Is there any reason why she made this movie with malayali characters as main ones?

[@roshni9618]

nurses

[@rijasali3968]

Her grandmother was taken care by a malayali nurse

[@Yshaaaq]

@@roshni9618 Is it like you didn't understand the question? I meant, the story is taking place in Mumbai and it's easy for her to make this movie in her most comfortable language (probably her mother tongue), but she chose another language which she also said that it was difficult to understand. So I was wondering if there's any particular reason for that.

[@Yshaaaq]

@@rijasali3968 ok. Maybe that's an emotional thing

[@roshni9618]

@@Yshaaaq She wanted to base it in a hospital and most of the nurses are Malayalis. Also, she wanted to make it as authentic as possible.

[@rawltg]

Ye aisi filmein h jo na paisa kama paati hain na audience par inki value phir bhi market mein high rehti hai.

[@swordofdurga]

This film will become a hit in Kerala. Don't worry.

[@Lovely-dl5cw]

Acha tho AAP mat dekho jise achi creative film ki samajh hai usko dekhne do. Aap ki pasand shayad item song bharbharke dali gayi Bollywood masala film hogi. Apna apna pasand hai judgment karne ki zarurat nahi. Ok?

[@rawltg]

@@Lovely-dl5cw lovely ji

[@tridentgameing6192]

​@@Lovely-dl5cwactually he's saying the truth I've seen a lot of great movies but the budget they allot never gets that much money back like seen a Indian movie it's budget is 50 cr i guess and they just earnd 30 or 20 cr

[@abinn88]

Bloody FTII taking credit for her win and filing case against her disgusting

[@Subhadip_bhueniya]

Bengalis are always no 1❤

[@AG-BG]

Someone show Fraud Bhansali this video.

[@sumitsharma8093]

❤❤❤

[@sudeep.adhikari]

Anupama always run after these bollywood glamor. Now she suddenly got these people when they reached some good place. Why there was no conversation before????? Why there were neglected?

[@AslamShah-s5z]

Malayaali poliyaa my...ee

[@shivrajphutane254]

Indian cinema dont need Cannes and Oscar approvals..

[@taufiqhariyadi]

[@anithagomathy2164]

This unnecessary laugh is so intolerable...please reduce it Anupama...

[@karthikkrishnamoorthy8975]

Watch interview at 1.5x speed

[@daminimishra6947]

Ohkk

[@WjldiMwWej]

I wonder why every liberal filmmakers has muslim guy n hindu girl lovestory angle.n why its not opposite. This movie is political n hinduphobic thats why it getting cannes award.

[@a.static.kaleidoscope]

good

[@lakshminarayanan5533]

That's because you haven't seen enough films.

[@AJITHPJ18]

poda sanghi myrew

[@tridentgameing6192]

Yes because as she said love is too political in our country.in other countries people marry or date irrespective of religion and caste but in our country it's different that's she's showing in this i guess

[@dparamful]

Anupama Chopra is so annoying. Awful in every way. I guess she married her way into this job.

[@Firethistimejb]

Pretentious,art house boring cinema made by upper caste brats!

[@mohdanasqureshi757]

you're funny 😂

[@Firethistimejb]

@@mohdanasqureshi757 lol Thanks for being casteist

[@dobby3159]

You have lost the plot of life!

[@devangmetha]

They are next making Gadar 3 with a bigger hand pump.

[@Firethistimejb]

@@devangmetha no, go watch Fandry, karnan , Pariyerum perumal etc. The real cinema

[@mithamurali9945]

❤❤❤❤❤