The Cannes Film Festival is back, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting event. The 78th edition kicks off on May 13 and runs until May 24. Indian cinema is well-represented this year, with several prominent figures set to attend. Alia Bhatt is making her debut on the red carpet as the global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a regular at the festival for over two decades, will also be in attendance. Other Indian celebrities, including Jacqueline Fernandez and Urvashi Rautela, were also expected to be there.
What’s in store for the audience?
The festival will feature a mix of grand film screenings and glamorous appearances on the red carpet. Viewers can catch the live action on the festival’s official YouTube channel, starting at 2:30 PM IST on May 13. The opening ceremony will begin at 10:45 PM IST the same day. Payal Kapadia, director of the last year’s Grand Prix winner “All We Imagine as Light,” is part of the jury this year, making it a proud moment for Indian cinema.
Other notable Indian presence
- Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal will attend the special screening of the restored version of Satyajit Ray’s 1970 classic “Aranyer Din Ratri.”
- Anupam Kher’s directorial film “Tanvi the Great” is set to premiere under the Marché du Film category.
- Niranj “Nir” Ghawan’s film “Homeland” or “Homebound” (reported as “Hamabuda” in some sources, possibly a transliteration or title variation) has been selected for the festival, with its cast, including Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, in attendance. Karan Johar, the film’s producer, will also be present.
A look back at Indian cinema’s history with Cannes
India has a rich history with the Cannes Film Festival, dating back to its inception in 1946. The first Indian film to be screened was “Neecha Nagar,” which won the “Grand Prix du Festival International du Film” award. This legacy continues with Indian filmmakers and actors gracing the festival’s red carpet and competing in various categories.