Payal Kapadia on One Nation One Election Bill: If everybody was thinking along the same lines, democracy would be null and void

Payal Kapadia

Payal Kapadia’s critically acclaimed film All We Imagine As Light had its beginnings at the International Short and Documentary Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) in 2015 with her short film, The Last Mango Before the Monsoon. The film, which evolved over nearly a decade, went on to win the Grand Prix at Cannes and garnered two Golden Globe nominations for Best Director and Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language. Returning to Thiruvananthapuram this week to receive the Spirit of Cinema Award at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), Payal reflected on the journey of her film and its socio-political impact.

Speaking to HT, Payal Kapadia discussed the diverse audience responses to her film in India and abroad, highlighting the challenges of distributing independent films in India. Despite limited marketing resources, the film has received positive feedback, especially in cities like Kochi, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata. Payal notes the difficulty in reaching smaller cities but remains hopeful as the film draws attention to the current socio-economic and political situation in India.

When asked about the strong protest against the One Nation, One Election Bill just introduced in Parliament, Payal argued that a federal system with staggered elections supports representational democracy, allowing multiple identities to coexist peacefully. She believes that diversity fosters better ideas and organic growth, essential for a healthy democracy. "It is obvious from our film that it is the diversity we want to be maintained in our country. The One Nation One election will not allow that. For a federal system to continue the way it is, we must have the elections as we have been having them. We believe in a representational democracy. It is obvious from the film what our stance is. Multiple identities can exist together peacefully. Unfortunately, the world benefits from dividing people. As artists, we all feel diversity is beneficial for better and organic thoughts and ideas. That is democracy and discourse. If everybody was thinking along the same lines, democracy would be null and void," she said.

As a filmmaker from Mumbai, Payal's work is deeply influenced by the city’s diverse identity. She recounted how Mumbai was built by people from various parts of India, creating a melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions. This pluralistic foundation of Mumbai is mirrored in her film, which features actors from different states and backgrounds, highlighting the importance of inclusivity.

Receiving the Spirit of Cinema Award at IFFK is significant for Kapadia, marking a full-circle moment from the film’s inception to its recognition.

Up next, Payal will head to Los Angeles for the Golden Globes, where she is nominated for Best Director and All We Imagine As Light for Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language.