Reflecting on whose idea the dance was, Chhaya remarked, “I can’t say for sure, but it might have been me. Someone from Mumbai joked, ‘You were dancing as if you were in your own courtyard.’ To which I responded, ‘Why not?’ Being part of the main competition after 30 years, and winning an award, is a significant accomplishment. Why conform to norms? We express our joy by dancing freely.”
According to Chhaya, their dance on the Cannes red carpet became a moment of celebration, with onlookers joining in to share their happiness. “Even when we paused for photographs, photographers encouraged us to keep dancing. There was an overwhelming sense of joy. It felt like a sign that the film would achieve great success at the festival.” She also mentioned hearing the Marathi song “Gulabi Saree” playing as she arrived for the film’s premiere.
“All We Imagine As Light” made history as the first Indian-directed film in 30 years to win the Grand Prix, the second highest honor at Cannes, after the Palme d’Or. Directed by Payal Kapadia, the film features Chhaya alongside Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha. Following its big screening, the film garnered rave reviews from international critics, establishing itself as a strong contender.
The Malayalam-Hindi feature delves into the lives of its characters, including Prabha, a nurse from Mumbai whose world is disrupted when she receives a rice cooker from her estranged husband. Alongside her, Anu, her roommate, grapples with finding privacy in the bustling city for her romantic encounters. Meanwhile, Prabha’s close friend, Parvati (played by Chhaya), faces eviction from her home due to property development.
