Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy, born in Purulia, a district in the eastern state of West Bengal, has made history by winning the Best Director Award in the Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival with her debut film Songs of Forgotten Trees. She is the first Indian director to win this award.
In an interview with Hindustan Times after this win, Anuparna Roy said, “I remembered how Anurag (Kashyap, filmmaker) phrased it to me, that winning an award is not just bringing reputation, but also responsibility to the table, to make better films, better craft, even when you are uncomfortable.”
Anuparna dedicated her award “to all the beautiful women out there, to my Purulia village (in West Bengal) where I was born and brought up”.
She said, “I have seen the women’s lives there. If any of them, after seeing this, can raise their voices, it would be great. It will be sufficient for me to keep myself motivated.”
About the praise being heaped on her now, Anuparna, a former infotech professional, said, “All these statements are making me humble. I am pretty sure there will be a lot of responsibility after this win. I cannot lie back and enjoy hearing that I have created history. Come on! I am inspired by many other — and better — women filmmakers from within and outside India.”
She added, “It’s not just me, it’s cinema which has created history again. I would love to give the award to cinema, my love for it. I am still a student of cinema, and learning will be my top most priority. It was before, it is now, and it will be in the future.”
Family amazed by Anuparna’s victory
In an interview with Press Trust of India, Anuparna’s father Brahmananda Roy expressed his eagerness to welcome the freshly minted award-winning director back to their home in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district.
“We had not noticed much love and passion for films during her school days, but she was studious. Her ambition for films came to the fore later, when she started her career in the IT sector. She had a resolve to create her own identity,” said the 63-year-old retired coal sector official, speaking to PTI over the phone.
Her father said that the family members were initially upset over Anuparna’s decision to take the plunge into film direction and even prophesied that she was making a mistake.
“When we first came to know about her decision in post-2020, we thought it was a gamble. She had no previous experience in the tinsel world or filmmaking. But her dedication, zeal and perseverance gradually made us confident about her ability,” said the proud father.
Priyanka Chopra congratulates Anuparna
Global film icon Priyanka Chopra has congratulated Anuparna Roy on social media, writing: “Heartiest congratulations to Anuparna Roy for this historic win at Venice! What a proud moment for India and for women in cinema everywhere. May this be just the beginning of an extraordinary journey ahead.”
West Bengal CM and Governor offer congratulations
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday congratulated Anuparna Roy for winning the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice Film Festival.
“Ms Anuparna Roy has brought glory to her native place Purulia and West Bengal,” said the governor in a statement released from Raj Bhavan. “May the young director reach glorious heights in filmmaking in the years ahead,” he added.
The chief minister took to social media to congratulate the filmmaker. “I am delighted by the news of our Purulia girl Anuparna Roy receiving an extraordinary international award,” Banerjee wrote on her X handle.
She hailed Anuparna as a beacon of inspiration for young girls in West Bengal, stating, “Her crowning achievement is a victory for the girls of our state.”
The CM also emphasised that Anuparna’s achievement at such a prestigious platform is a testament to her talent, creativity, and resilience. “This can practically be called a conquest of the world in the realm of cinema,” she added.
—With inputs from Press Trust of India
