Payal Kapadia and Resul Pookutty | Photo credit: Andrea Alexandru; THG
Indian cinema has once again entered the international arena with Payal Kapadia’s film Everything we imagine as featherlight winning the Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This monumental victory, the first for an Indian film in thirty years, tells the fascinating story of two nurses from Kerala as they navigate life in modern-day Mumbai. It stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam in the lead roles.
On Sunday, Resul Pookutty, the Oscar-winning sound designer for street millionaire, shared his thoughts in a Facebook post. Reflecting on Kapadia’s triumph, Pookutty spoke about the role that the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) played in developing talents like Kapadia.
He stressed that Kapadia’s victory was not just a personal victory, but a testament to the resilience and dedication of FTII graduates. Pookutty pointed to the broader implications of Kapadia’s success, noting the lack of support from the mainstream Indian film industry and the government delegations usually sent to Cannes.
“What makes Payal’s victory so crucial?! Not only because he is from FTII but also from a group of people/student enthusiasts who are ordinary people who come from different corners of India and have declared that they will fight for the rest of their lives. (sic),” wrote Pookutty.
Pookutty highlighted the difficulties faced by students of institutions such as FTII and SRFII, who often prefer a life of artistic endeavors to the more conventional career paths followed by graduates of more prestigious Indian institutions. “When you study at an IIM, IIT or AIIMS, you become MNC managers, engineers and doctors. But when you enroll in FTII or SRFII, you become a struggling person,” he wrote.
“In this sleepy institute with long hanging tree roots and a black road winding like a snake from the main gate to the main theater, is a place where the history of Indian cinema sleeps, from which many generations draw inspiration. Every student who studied there always held the view that every government. he considered it anti-system,” he added Eight-maker and went on to express his pride over the fact that most of the students who graduate from FTII and National School of Drama, Fresh Delhi, find jobs in the country, unlike other institutes.
Pookutty reiterated that the mainstream film industry has nothing to do with Kapadia’s historic win at Cannes. “The only reason they won is not because we had inspiring teachers – we had some, but not all of them. The only reason for this national glory is all the inspiring films we saw at FTII and the atmosphere of this place nurtured by all the great artists from all over the world who visited there and left their energy…
“My only request is whoever, whatever or whatever dispensation is at the helm of affairs, do not destroy this atmosphere that has taken generations to cultivate…. There are a lot more Payalis and Chidanands, Sathosh Sivans and Shaji Karuns will come out. Inspire them and let them show us a mirror that reflects us as a true society where the original, logical and scientific temperament is celebrated. Let’s create sovereign minds, it will be a true celebration of cinema and life (sic!),” he wrote.
Pookutty concluded his note by mentioning the legal challenge Kapadia will face filed by the FTII. As Kapadia returns from her Cannes triumph, she faces a court hearing next month over her involvement in the FTII protests in 2015 against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman. Kapadia led the historic 139-day protest opposing Chauhan’s nomination due to his alleged lack of qualifications. The protest had stern consequences for Kapadia, including the withdrawal of her scholarship and the filing of an FIR against her.
Later, her 13-minute miniature film titled Afternoon cloudswas selected for the competition category at the 70th Cannes International Festival in 2017. This recognition prompted the FTII to withdraw its punitive action, extending support to her trip to Cannes.