January 2025: While Payal Kapadia, the director of ‘All We Imagine As Light’, didn’t take home a Golden Globe at the 2025 ceremony, her experience was far from a disappointment. The film, which had earned nominations in two prestigious categories – Best Non-English Language Motion Picture and Best Director – didn’t secure any awards, with ‘Emilia Perez’ winning the Best Non-English Language Motion Picture and Brady Corbet taking home the Best Director award for ‘The Brutalist’. Despite this, Kapadia expressed immense gratitude for the entire experience, focusing on the joy and camaraderie of the journey.
Taking to Instagram after the event, Kapadia shared a candid post reflecting on the night. In the photograph, she is seen with the producers of her film – Thomas Hakim, Julien Graff, and Ranabir Das – smiling and embracing the moment. The caption read: “We didn’t win anything but had sooo much fun.” It was clear that, for Kapadia, the experience was more about personal growth, cherished memories, and the bonds formed along the way.
The loss of both awards was certainly a setback, but Kapadia chose to focus on the positives, emphasizing the incredible experience of attending the ceremony, meeting fellow filmmakers, and soaking in the moment. Her attitude of gratitude was evident as she also took the opportunity to thank the team behind her Golden Globes look. She expressed heartfelt appreciation for designer Payal Khandwala and stylist Indrakshi Pattanaik for helping her feel confident and radiant on the night. “A special thank you to @payalkhandwala for this amazing outfit… and @styledbyindrakshi for being the kindest, smartest stylist who helped me feel so confident,” Kapadia wrote.
For the event, Kapadia wore a striking handwoven jumpsuit made from lightweight matte silk, crafted by Payal Khandwala. The jumpsuit featured intricate brocade details on the pockets and a signature loop neck design, giving her an elegant and timeless look that resonated with the evening’s sophisticated ambiance.
While ‘All We Imagine As Light’ did not win a Golden Globe, the film had already made history earlier in 2024 by becoming the first Indian film to win the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. This achievement had already put the film and its director in the global spotlight.
Starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, the Indo-French co-production tells the story of Prabha, a troubled nurse who receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, and Anu, her young roommate, who seeks intimacy with her boyfriend. Together, the two women navigate their desires during a trip to a beach town, confronting the complexities of their relationships. The film, which features talented actors from Kerala, such as Kusruti and Prabha, had already earned significant recognition before its Golden Globe nominations.
Despite the setback at the Golden Globes, Payal Kapadia’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, creative expression, and the importance of celebrating the milestones along the way. With ‘All We Imagine As Light’ making waves on the international stage, the future looks bright for the filmmaker, who continues to inspire with her distinctive voice and vision.
