Payal Kapadia and Resul Pookutty | Photo credit: Andreea Alexandru; THG
With Payal Kapadia’s film ‘Pankat 2’, Indian cinema has once again made its mark on the global stage. We all imagine ourselves as light Winning the Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This historic win, the first for an Indian film in three decades, tells the fascinating story of two Kerala nurses navigating their lives in contemporary Mumbai. The film stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam.
On Sunday, Resul Pookutty, Academy Award-winning sound designer Slumdog Millionaireshared some of his thoughts in a Facebook post. Reflecting on Kapadia’s win, Pookutty spoke about the role of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in nurturing talents like Kapadia.
He emphasised that Kapadia’s win was not just an individual triumph but a testament to the perseverance and dedication of FTII alumni. Pookutty pointed to the wider implications of Kapadia’s success, noting the lack of support from the mainstream Indian film industry and government delegations sent to Cannes.
“Why is Payal’s win so important ?! Not just because she is from FTII but because she belongs to a group of people/student enthusiasts who are ordinary people who come from different corners of India and who have prepared themselves to struggle for the rest of their lives,” Pookutty wrote.
Pookutty emphasised the struggles of students studying at institutes such as FTII and SRFTII, who often pursue a life of artistic struggle rather than the conventional career paths pursued by graduates of more prestigious Indian institutes. “When you study at IIM, IIT or AIIMS, you become MNC managers, engineers and doctors. But when you sign up to study at FTII or SRFTII, you become a struggler,” he wrote.
“That dormant institution with the long hanging roots of the trees and the black road winding like a snake from the main gate to the main theatre is where the history of Indian cinema sleeps and from where many generations have drawn inspiration. Every student who has studied there has always developed a viewpoint that has been seen as anti-establishment by every government,” he added. OttaHe expressed pride at how most of the students graduating from FTII and National School of Drama, New Delhi, find work within the country, unlike those from other institutes.
Pookutty again emphasised that the mainstream film industry had nothing to do with Kapadia’s historic win at Cannes. “The only reason she won is not even that we had inspiring teachers, some did but not all. The only reason for this national pride is all the inspiring films we saw at FTII and the atmosphere of the place which was nurtured by all the brilliant artistes from across the world who came there and left their energy…
He wrote, “My only request is that whoever or whatever or whatever system is at the helm of affairs, do not destroy the environment that took generations to nurture… There are many more Payals and Chidanands, Sathosh Sivans and Shaji Karuns to come up. Inspire them, and let them hold up a mirror to us that reflects us as a true society where original, logical and scientific temperament is celebrated. Let us create sovereign minds, which will be a true celebration of cinema and life.”
Pookutty concluded her note by mentioning the court proceedings filed by Kapadia. Kapadia has just returned from her Cannes win, so she will face a court hearing next month, which stems from her participation in the FTII protest against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman in 2015. Kapadia was at the forefront of the historic 139-day protest opposing Chauhan’s appointment due to his alleged lack of qualifications. This protest led to Kapadia facing severe consequences, including the cancellation of her scholarship and the filing of an FIR against her.
Later, his 13-minute short film, Afternoon cloudswas selected for the Competition category at the 70th Cannes International Festival in 2017. This recognition prompted the FTII to reverse its punitive actions, and increased support for his trip to Cannes.
