Payal Kapadia teases two new Mumbai-set films after Cannes glory
What's the story
Acclaimed filmmaker Payal Kapadia has announced her plans for two upcoming films following her highly praised 2024 surrealist drama, All We Imagine As Light.
The film, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, marks a career milestone for Kapadia.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in Hong Kong, Kapadia revealed that these new projects will form a triptych, all set in Mumbai.
Triptych details
'All We Imagine as Light' will be part of triptych
Kapadia clarified that the three films wouldn't be a trilogy as they won't tell a connected story.
"I have two new films in mind. Together with All We Imagine as Light, they will form a triptych. Not a trilogy. They will be different pieces, all set in Mumbai," Kapadia said.
When asked if All We Imagine as Light's success would ease financing for future, Kapadia said, "I'm stubborn. I'd rather stay true to a film's core than make concessions."
Film success
'All We Imagine as Light' gained international acclaim
All We Imagine as Light, an official India-French co-production, is about two Malayali women, Prabha and Anu, who, along with their friend Parvaty, navigate love, longing, and life's difficulties in Mumbai
Last year, it received nominations at prominent award ceremonies, including the Golden Globes.
Additionally, it also topped the Sight & Sound poll for the best film of 2024.
Female narratives
Kapadia to continue exploring women's stories in new films
While details about Kapadia's new projects remain limited, she has confirmed they will continue to explore women's stories.
"I'm always interested in Mumbai being a very accepting space for people from all over our country to come to live and work—especially from a woman's point of view because it's not always easy for a woman to live alone in many parts of our country," she explained.
Musical influence
Kapadia plans to use music more narratively in new films
Kapadia also plans to use more music in her future films.
"I really enjoyed using music more in this film, and I now want to go even further and use music more narratively, like having it be part of the story in some way — where it's not just helping the mise en scene, but has a narrative function," she said.
"That's something that I'm very excited about, because in Indian cinema, we love our songs."