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Two acclaimed films have been torchbearers for Indian cinema in 2024 – Payal Kapadia ’s All We Imagine As Light, and Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies - both helmed by women and focusing on stories of resilience, with strong female characters at the centre of the films. All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL) has two Golden Globes nominations – Best Director and Best Motion Picture (non-English) - while Laapataa Ladies is India’s official selection for the Oscars . We spoke to actress Chhaya Kadam who features prominently in both films about how stories of and by women have been in the spotlight this year and how this will change the cinema landscape in the near future.
Excerpts: ‘A fantastic time for Indian cinema’ Chhaya says that 2024 was a whirlwind year for her. “2023 wasn’t a great year for me. I dealt with the loss of my mother and was in a space where I thought nothing good was happening.
Cut to 2024 and everything turned around. Recognition for Laapataa Ladies to AWIAL and Sister Midnight being screened at Cannes, followed by AWIAL’s Grand Prix award win at the fest, Laapataa Ladies being selected as India’s entry to the Oscars and now the Golden Globe nominations for AWIAL – this year literally has been like a Bollywood film where something great is happening in every scene,” Chhaya tells us. While acknowledging the contribution of her previous work to where she is today, the actress adds, “I think this has been a pivotal year for Indian cinema and women in Indian cinema.
I feel proud to be part of both these acclaimed films and what they have achieved till date. Irrespective of what happens at the Oscars or at the Golden Globes, this will pave the way for more such films in the future.” I feel proud to be part of both, AWIAL and Laapataa Ladies, and what they have achieved.
Irrespective of what happens at the Oscars or at the Golden Globes, this will pave the way for more such films in the future Chhaya Kadam A still from All We Imagine As Light ‘Payal and Kiran have only good words for each other’ There was debate around the Oscars’ selection for Laapataa Ladies and a lot of people thought AWIAL would have been a better choice from India. On her part, Chhaya says, “Both films are deserving and beautiful in their own ways. More importantly it is so heartwarming to see both filmmakers supporting each other.
Payal has only good words to say about Laapataa Ladies and Kiran has praises for AWIAL. Isn’t it lovely to see this kind of camaraderie?” Chhaya confesses that she is on cloud nine that both these films feature her. “All I want to say is that I am thankful for the things happening in my professional life,” she says.
Personally, this has been a rollercoaster year, but without the lows that I have previously encountered. Indian cinema is getting rightful acclaim and will continue to soar Chhaya Kadam Chhaya Kadam in Laapataa Ladies On Payal as a director Chhaya wholeheartedly supports Payal’s nomination for Best Director at the Golden Globes and says, “Payal is a wonderful filmmaker and person. It’s not about individual glory for her.
During the shoot, Payal ensured that everyone was on the same page. Even at Cannes when the Grand Prix award was announced, she took us all on stage. That paved the way for the recognition that the entire team got.
” The actress adds, “She is exceptionally talented at bringing out what’s between the lines on the screen. She has a clear vision and when you see the final product, you are bound to be in awe of how it has turned out to be.” Chhaya Kadam with Payal Kapadia.
