From a small village in Kerala to the prestigious red carpet at Cannes, Kani Kusruti's journey is a testament to the power of dreams. Her path from Cheruvakkal to international acclaim is not just her story but a beacon of hope for countless small-town girls. With talent and unwavering dedication, Kani has shown that the world’s biggest stages are within reach, inspiring many to believe in their potential.
Kani Kusruti, born in the small village of Cheruvakkal in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, grew up in a family of social activists and rationalists. Her parents, Jayasree A.K. and Maitreya Maitreyan, had dropped their last names to eliminate the social hierarchy associated with them. At age 15, Kani allegedly invented her surname "Kusruti," meaning "mischievous" in Malayalam, for her class 10th exam application. She was introduced to theatre at the Abhinaya Theatre Research Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, she moved to Thrissur to study at the Thrissur School of Drama and completed her education in physical theatre at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in France.
Kani Kusruti began her theatre career at the Abhinaya Theatre Research Centre, debuting in the classic farce Bhagavadajjukam and playing Vasantsena from 2000 to 2006. She later starred in M.G. Jyotish's adaptation of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, which was invited to the Villeneuve en Scene Festival d'Avignon in 2007. After studying at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Kani appeared in Kerala Cafe and Shikkar in 2009 and 2010. She gained mainstream attention for her role in Cocktail. Kani joined Footsbarn in 2011 to play Miranda in The Indian Tempest, which toured internationally. In 2015, she became well-known for her role in the soap opera Eswaran Sakshiyayi.
News of Cannes’ Selection
Kani Kusruti, with over 30 films and a successful career spanning two decades, was gearing up for another work trip to Kerala when she received the exciting news: her upcoming film, All We Imagine as Light by Payal Kapadia, was selected for competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, she shared in an interview. This marks the first time in 30 years that an Indian film will vie for the prestigious Palme d’Or.
From Casting to Cannes
In All We Imagine as Light, Kani portrays Prabha, the head nurse at a Mumbai hospital. Prabha lives with a younger nurse, Anu, who seeks privacy with her boyfriend in the city. The film follows their road trip to a beach town, where a mystical forest becomes a space for their dreams to manifest. Kani reveals that she was initially approached for the role of Anu, but as the project took years to develop, she ended up playing Prabha.
"Prabha is not someone I relate to," Kani admitted talking to The Hindu. "She carries a lot of baggage due to social expectations. Although she has found economic independence, her conscience is torn between her desires and what others want her to do," she added.
The character of Prabha was inspired by a real nurse Payal Kapadia met, which triggered questions and inspired the film’s story. Kani and the team also workshopped with actual nurses to better understand their lives, adding depth to their performances.
Before the screening, the internationally funded film's star cast graced the red carpet at the Palais du Festival. Kani Kusruti stood out with her unique watermelon clutch, designed to resemble a cut section of the fruit in green and red. While some saw it as a quirky accessory, others believed it carried a deeper meaning. One user pointed out, "She is showing a watermelon-design handbag at the Festival de Cannes, symbolising solidarity with Palestine. This gesture of solidarity by an Indian celebrity is rare. Kudos to her."
Read more appreciation posts for the actor.
Moreover, the film received an impressive eight-minute standing ovation at the end of its screening, one of the longest at this year's festival. Regardless of whether it wins the trophy, the film and the performances have certainly left international critics impressed, garnering rave reviews from around the world.
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