Ace filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently voiced his concerns about the Indian government’s lack of support for independent films. Despite his delight over director Payal Kapadia’s victory at Cannes, Kashyap expressed frustration at the government’s tendency to take credit without providing actual support.
Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Triumph
Payal Kapadia won the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her drama film “All We Imagine as Light.” This marked a significant achievement as Kapadia became the first Indian director to receive this honor. However, Kashyap emphasized that her victory, along with those of other independent filmmakers, was a result of their own efforts rather than any governmental support.
This year, three Indian filmmakers achieved notable success at Cannes. Besides Kapadia, actor Anasuya Sengupta won Best Actress in the Un Certain Regard strand for “The Shameless,” and FTII student Chidananda S Naik won Best Short Film in the La Cinef section for “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know.” Kashyap asserted that these victories were not reflective of India’s support for such cinema, pointing out that Kapadia’s film was funded by a French company and was an Indo-French co-production.
Kashyap’s Frustration with Government Credit
Kashyap criticized the Indian government for taking credit for these achievements without providing substantial support. He remarked, “India just likes to take credit for a lot of things, they do not support these films, and they don’t even support these films to have a release in cinema.” He called for an end to this “fake celebration” and highlighted the lack of a support system for independent films in India.
Red Carpet Obsession
The filmmaker also lamented India’s obsession with Cannes, particularly the red carpet aspect, which he believes overshadows the true purpose of the festival. Kashyap recalled how Geetanjali Rao’s award-winning work at Cannes in 2003 went largely unrecognized in India, underscoring the lack of support for artistic achievements.
Anurag Kashyap’s Dig at Gajendra Chauhan
Kashyap further criticized Gajendra Chauhan, former chairman of FTII, for taking credit for Kapadia’s success. He pointed out the irony of Chauhan’s pride, as he was the same person who had filed cases against Kapadia and other students during their protests against his appointment. “You are the one who put the case against her,” Kashyap added, highlighting the contradictions in Chauhan’s statements.
Anurag Kashyap’s comments bring to light the significant challenges faced by independent filmmakers in India. While their achievements are celebrated internationally, the lack of domestic support remains a critical issue. Kashyap’s call for genuine recognition and support for indie cinema underscores the need for a more supportive environment for filmmakers in India.