All We Imagine as Light director Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, has to appear for a court hearing next month in connection with her alleged involvement in the 2015 FTII protests against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the Pune institute.
Kapadia was a central figure in the 139-day protest, which led to her losing her scholarship and getting embroiled in a legal tussle.
Resul Pookutty, an Academy Award-winning sound designer, recently reflected on Kapadia’s journey in a Facebook post. He praised her Cannes achievement, calling it a testament to the resilience and dedication of FTII alumni.
“Payal (Accused No.25) comes back from Cannes and next month goes for her court case hearing that FTII lodged against her for striking against the appointment of Mr.Chouhan as the Chairman! Interesting isn’t it,” the Slumdog Millionaire sound designer wrote.
In his post, Pookutty also noted the broader implications of Kapadia’s success, emphasising the challenges faced by students at institutions like FTII and SRFTI.
Pookutty also critiqued the lack of support from the mainstream Indian film industry and government delegations for artists like Kapadia. He underscored the historical and cultural significance of FTII, describing it as a place that has inspired many generations of filmmakers and often been viewed as anti-establishment by successive governments.
