Payal Kapadia, director of All We Imagine As Light, supports Anurag Kashyap’s view on lack of support for Indie films in India: Calls for structural changes.
Payal Kapadia’s film, All We Imagine As Light, made headlines when it won the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival. Anurag Kashyap commented on the lack of support for indie films in India, a sentiment that Payal echoed, citing funding and distribution as major obstacles that need to be addressed.
In a recent interview with News18, Kapadia agreed with Kashyap’s observations about the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in India and the need for more opportunities and grants. She admitted uncertainty about how things could change for indie films, emphasizing the importance of structural changes in the industry and a support system for filmmakers.
Kapadia highlighted the difficulty not only in securing financial support but also in distributing independent films. While she was fortunate to have the backing of a media company for her project, she acknowledged that many directors struggle to find such support.
When asked about the possibility of working with a major production house, Kapadia indicated that it was premature to consider, noting the time-consuming nature of indie film production and the focus on raising funds for creative freedom.
She stressed the importance of mainstream industry players supporting independent films and emphasized the coexistence of both sectors within the industry.
Anurag Kashyap, in a previous interview with PTI, celebrated Kapadia’s win at Cannes 2024 as a victory for independent filmmakers, emphasizing the need for recognition and support for their work. He pointed out that while the film received funding from a French source and faced delays in promised rebates from Indian authorities, many independent films struggle to secure releases in India.
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