Payal Kapadia, the Cannes Grand Prix-winning director of All We Imagine as Light, recently visited Kolkata for a special screening of her acclaimed film. Reflecting on her journey, Kapadia emphasized the need to move beyond gender-based labels in the film industry. Despite her international recognition, she noted that female directors are often singled out as “women filmmakers,” unlike their male counterparts who are simply called “directors.”
Kapadia’s film sheds light on the lives of working women in Mumbai, particularly nurses who migrate from other regions. For her, Mumbai isn’t just a glamorous “city of dreams” but a complex space where struggles and friendships shape lives. She shared how rewarding it was to see her cast and crew’s collaborative effort honored at Cannes, highlighting that the actors and technicians contributed much more than just performances—they helped shape the narrative.
Kapadia acknowledged the challenges women face in the industry, even if she personally avoided direct gender discrimination. Her own journey was supported by her artistic family, unlike many women who battle societal expectations to pursue filmmaking.
She believes contemporary audiences are ready for diverse, nuanced stories, thanks to the democratization brought by digital platforms. Good storytelling, she insists, transcends gender and genre. Kapadia’s success at Cannes is not just a personal milestone but a call for the industry to eliminate biases and recognize directors purely for their work. Her vision is clear: talent should be judged without qualifiers, creating a truly equal cinematic landscape.