Skip to main content

Payal Kapadia speaks on Laapataa Ladies being India’s official entry for Oscars over her Cannes Award-winning film All We Imagine As Light: “Oscar is like a lobby”

When filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s first feature film, All We Imagine As Light, won the Grand Prix at Cannes 2024, she became a celebrated name globally. Yet, for the 38-year-old FTII alumna, this success built on a long list of accolades, including the L’Œil d’or (The Golden Eye) Award for her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing at Cannes 2021. Now, as her feature film readies for release in India on November 22, Kapadia speaks candidly about her journey and the complexities of the Oscar race.

Choosing Laapataa Ladies for the Oscars In a chat with Hindustan Times, she asked about her film All We Imagine As Light not being India’s official submission for the Oscars. Kapadia expressed no disappointment, saying she respects the choice of Laapataa Ladies. “I already got a lot from this film,” she said, adding that it took years of effort and grant-based funding to bring her film to life. Reflecting on the success of the Cannes selection, she remarked, “For me, the fact that the film got made, it got shown at this really big festival, has been a lot. Anything else I get more than that, I’m like, oh, wow, one more thing.”

Discussing the Academy Awards process, Kapadia explained the role of financial support in securing Oscar nominations. She acknowledged that Laapataa Ladies benefited from strong backing. “That matters in the Oscar race, so in a way, it’s a sensible choice because the Oscar is like a lobby,” she noted. “Having the financial support is a very good thing and it takes a film much further than when you do not have any money to do it.” The Challenges of Competing in International Arenas Kapadia admitted that she was not fully aware of the resources needed for a serious Oscar bid, noting that it involves extensive lobbying and networking. “I never used to follow the Oscars so intricately… but what it actually means and what goes into it, I am learning now,” she revealed. The director’s experience highlights the complexities and unique challenges that come with competing on an international level, where financial resources can significantly impact a film’s reach and visibility.

Her feature’s shortlisting in France as a possible submission for the Oscars, she mentioned, was an unexpected honour. “My film being shortlisted in France as a potential submission for the Oscars was very random,” she said, indicating how international recognition often involves a combination of opportunity and preparation.

Kapadia’s first feature film, All We Imagine As Light, is set to release across India on November 22, and she is eagerly anticipating how Indian audiences will receive it. The film, which follows three migrant women in Mumbai, stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam and weaves a story of resilience and survival in the bustling metropolis.

Also Read: Kiran Rao says discussion of Laapataa Ladies’ selection as India’s official entry for Oscars 2025 at London School of Economics reaffirmed belief in “transformative power of storytelling”



from Featured Movie News | Featured Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/eiZSWAY

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Kunal Kemmu opens up about budgeting for his boys trips with Shahid Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter and others; says, “Because our tour is multiple days, there is a split system”

Kunal Kemmu has always confessed her love for acting and has been a part of the industry since his childhood days. And now he also forayed into direction with the comic caper Madgaon Express. But apart from his love for the Indian film industry, if there is something else that he is truly passionate about, then it is travelling. Time and again, Kunal has set travel goals and friendship goals as he takes off on a boys trip with his gang, which also includes the likes of Shahid Kapoor and his brother Ishaan Khatter. Recently, in an interview with MensXP, Kunal Kemmu addressed this subject of his trips with the squad - Shahid Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter and others, and also opened up about how they all chip in their share to add to the budget of these international bike trips. In fact, he left many surprised by stating how they split bills like any other group of friends on a trip and added, “Yes it gets split. Because our tour is multiple days, there is a split system. Koi bole na bole, anda

Sharvari’s Baahubali connect in Munjya: “I first learned that Sathyaraj sir is…”

Sharvari, one of the most promising young actors in India, is set to star in the upcoming film Munjya, a part of Dinesh Vijan’s successful horror-comedy universe. In this film, she shares the screen with veteran actor Sathyaraj, best known for his iconic role as Katappa in the Baahubali series. As a huge fan of SS Rajamouli and the Baahubali films, Sharvari found this experience thrilling and inspiring. From the very first day on set, Sharvari was in awe of Sathyaraj’s dedication and craft. She learned a great deal from observing his work ethic and approach to acting. Sharvari shared her excitement, saying, “I am a huge fan of all of Rajamouli sir’s work and of course his epic cult blockbuster Baahubali. I have seen both the films multiple times. So, when I first learned that Sathyaraj sir is a part of Munjya, I was excited beyond words.” Sharvari found herself attending an "acting workshop" every day on set, simply by watching Sathyaraj perform. “Watching Sathyaraj sir on

Priyanka Chopra finds inspiration in Alan Rickman's acting advice

Priyanka Chopra recently shared a piece of acting advice from the late Alan Rickman, known for his iconic role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. Rickman’s advice, which he gave during an old interview, resonated with Chopra, prompting her to post it on her Instagram Stories. In the shared video, Rickman advises aspiring actors to "forget about acting" and instead focus on broadening their horizons and nurturing their imagination. He said, "Go to art galleries, listen to music, know what's happening on the news in the world and form opinions. Develop your taste and judgment so that when a quality piece of writing is put in front of you, your imagination, which you've nurtured, has something to bounce off of." Rickman, who passed away in 2016, was beloved for his diverse roles in films such as Truly Madly Deeply, Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, and Alice in Wonderland. His profound impact on the acting community continues to be felt, as evid