Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her film All We Imagine As Light. While her victory has been hailed as a proud moment for Indian cinema, it has also reignited discussions about the lack of support for independent filmmakers in the country. Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently spoke out against the tendency of the Indian government and mainstream industry to claim credit for the successes of independent filmmakers, despite not providing substantial support. Kapadia has now weighed in on the debate, calling for systemic changes in the industry.
Anurag Kashyap’s Criticism
Anurag Kashyap, a prominent voice in Indian independent cinema, has been vocal about the challenges faced by filmmakers like Payal Kapadia. Kashyap criticized the government for taking credit for independent filmmakers’ achievements, including Payal’s Cannes win, while doing little to support them in reality. He pointed out that although Payal’s victory is being framed as a national achievement, independent films like hers rarely receive the backing they deserve from the government or the mainstream industry.
“I get very upset when it’s said ‘India@Cannes’. This is a boost… a shot in the arm for a lot of independent filmmakers but their victory is their own. India didn’t have any moment at Cannes,” Kashyap told PTI. He further added that the kind of cinema that is recognized at international festivals like Cannes is not supported or promoted within India itself. “India has stopped supporting such cinema,” he said, emphasizing that independent filmmakers face an uphill battle when it comes to finding distribution and getting their films into theaters.
Payal Kapadia’s response: ‘Structural changes are needed’
Responding to Kashyap’s comments, Payal Kapadia acknowledged the difficulties faced by independent filmmakers in India and emphasized the need for structural reforms within the industry. “To be honest, I don’t know what can bring about change. We need structural changes in the industry, opportunities for independent filmmakers, grants that they can apply for or some kind of support system,” Payal told News18.
Kapadia pointed out that the biggest challenge for independent filmmakers is not just funding, but also distribution. “The bigger question is, how do you distribute a film like that? That’s why I’m very happy that Spirit Media is distributing my film. It’s a great thing for me that an independent film like All We Imagine As Light will get distributed and be shown in so many cities,” she added.
When asked whether her Cannes victory could inspire change within the Indian film industry, Kapadia expressed cautious optimism. “It’s still too early to say anything because independent filmmaking takes a lot of time. You would want to raise funds to tell the kind of stories you want and have a certain kind of creative freedom and that involves a lot of steps,” she said. While she remains hopeful, she also acknowledged that systemic change will take time and effort from all sides.
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A call for collaboration
Kapadia also highlighted the need for collaboration between mainstream and independent filmmakers. “It would also be great if those in the mainstream also take some time out to support independent films. At the end of the day, we co-exist in the same industry,” she said. This sentiment reflects the growing recognition that the future of Indian cinema requires a balance between big-budget blockbusters and smaller, independent films that often push creative boundaries.
The distribution dilemma
Payal’s comments mirror the experiences of other filmmakers like Anand Ekarshi, director of the National Award-winning film Aattam, who noted that while finding a producer for smaller films has become easier, securing a distributor remains a significant hurdle. “For a smaller film, the biggest challenge is to find a distributor. You will get a producer and actors and eventually complete your film. However, getting it into theatres is the toughest part,” Ekarshi said during a panel discussion with The Indian Express.
This struggle is emblematic of the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in India, where mainstream cinema continues to dominate both theaters and public attention.
The road ahead
Kapadia’s victory at Cannes, along with the achievements of other Indian filmmakers like Anasuya Sengupta, who won Best Actress in the Un Certain Regard strand for The Shameless, signals a growing presence of Indian independent cinema on the global stage. However, as both Kapadia and Kashyap have emphasized, for Indian independent films to truly thrive, there needs to be a concerted effort to support them domestically, through grants, distribution opportunities, and greater collaboration between the mainstream and indie sectors.
As Kapadia puts it, “We co-exist in the same industry.” Now, it’s time for the industry to work together to ensure that all voices, not just the biggest or most mainstream, are heard.
