Javed Akhtar Invites Cannes Grand Prix Winner Payal Kapadia for a Meal: 'Shabana And I Will Host You'

Payal Kapadia created history at Cannes when her film, All We Imagine as Light, won the prestigious ‘Le Grand Prix’ award at the renowned film festival. This marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian movie competed in the festival’s main competition. The film’s team, including director Payal Kapadia and actors Chhaya Kadam, Divya Prabha, and Kani Kusruti, attended the Cannes Film Festival 2024 to accept the award during the closing ceremony. Many Bollywood stars, including Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, and Javed Akhtar, have also praised Payal for her big win.

Javed Akhtar congratulated Payal and invited her to a meal. He wrote, “Dear Payal Kapadia, heartiest congratulations to you. It is a great achievement. Very very proud of you. Do get in touch whenever you are Mumbai. Shabana and I will love to host you for a meal.”

Earlier, Farhan Akhtar took to Instagram and congratulated the filmmaker. He wrote, “Heartiest congratulations #PayalKapadia and team #allweimagineaslight .. first Indian film to win the Cannes Grand Prix.” Kiara Advani also extended heartfelt greetings to the team of ‘All We Imagine As Light’. “Congratulationsss,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Payal took to X to express her gratitude. Posting a photo with actors Chhaya Kadam, Divya Prabha, and Kani Kusruti, she wrote, “It is a great achievement for us that we have given this award to our country after thirty years. I am deeply grateful for your generous appreciation. Your recognition motivates me to work even harder.❤️ Thanks a lot. It is a great achievement for us that we have given this award to our country after thirty years. I am deeply grateful for your generous appreciation. Your recognition motivates me to work even harder.❤️Thanks a lot.”

On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi took to X to congratulate Payal and wrote, “India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat of winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her work ‘All We Imagine as Light’. An alumnus of FTII, her remarkable talent continues to shine on the global stage, giving a glimpse of the rich creativity in India. This prestigious accolade not only honours her exceptional skills but also inspires a new generation of Indian filmmakers.”