The recently concluded 77th Cannes Film Festival marked a significant moment for India on the global stage, heralding both triumphs and discontent. Among the attendees, actors and filmmakers graced the red carpet and participated in post-screening discussions with audiences, showcasing the multi-faceted talents from the subcontinent. However, not all reactions were of celebration. Huma Qureshi, who made her debut at the French Riviera in 2012 with her maiden film, Gangs of Wasseypur, openly expressed her displeasure on social media about the presence of numerous celebrities at Cannes solely due to their brand associations.
Huma Qureshi took to social media to voice her sentiments, stating, “Cannes Film Festival is a film festival where art is celebrated for art’s sake.” Her post emphasized her hope that the financial resources expended by brands to send non-film-related personalities could instead be directed towards supporting small and independent films. While expressing her discontent, Huma did not forget to acknowledge the triumphs of her fellow artists, especially women. She wrote, “I really am so proud of all the incredible women who have brought home such glory. More power to them and to our home-grown storytellers.” Currently, Qureshi has wrapped filming for “Gulabi” and is collaborating with notable actors Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi in “Jolly LLB 3,” while also featuring in the third season of her web series, “Maharani.”
Another Bollywood star making headlines is Junaid Khan, who has been meticulously preparing for his acting debut for over four years. His hard work culminated in him securing a role in Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) “Maharaj,” centered around the historical 1862 Maharaja Libel Case. Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, the film, featuring Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, and Sharvari, has completed shooting and will be released on Netflix on June 14. Junaid is not resting on his laurels, having already wrapped up his second film and gearing up for a remake of the Tamil romantic comedy, “Love Today,” alongside Khushi Kapoor.
In literary news, Bipasha Basu Singh Grover is set to embark on a new career as an author. The celebrated actress announced her upcoming book, which will be a blend of part-memoir and part self-help. The book will chronicle her personal journey, recounting various instances that have shaped her life. Bipasha expressed her excitement, saying, “What has got me through and this far is a conscious decision to focus on the bright side of life and to choose sunshine every day! I felt it is time to share my learnings with my fans and readers.” She is collaborating with The Sunflower Seeds and LAP Ventures to bring this personal project, slated for release next year, to fruition.
The festival was also a significant success for Aneet Padda, known for her role in the hit series “Big Girls Don’t Cry.
.” Aneet is reportedly set to join the ranks of YRF heroines, having impressed Aditya Chopra with her auditions and securing a three-movie contract. “Adi has always punted big on newcomers and invested in launching them with big talking-point movies. He feels Aneet is a talent to watch out for and has signed her for a three-movie contract. Moreover, she will be managed by the studio’s talent division.” Aneet is one of four new faces YRF will be launching within the next year.
Adding to India’s accolades at Cannes, actor Anasuya Sengupta and director Payal Kapadia brought home significant honors. Anasuya made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Best Actress award in the Un Certain Regard segment for her performance in “The Shameless.” Payal’s film, “All We Imagine As Light,” won the Grand Prix, the first Indian film to compete in the main competition in 30 years. Anasuya dedicated her award to queer and marginalized communities worldwide, stating, “You don’t have to be queer to fight for equality, you don’t have to be colonized to understand that colonizing is pathetic—we just need to be decent human beings.” Similarly, Payal emphasized the importance of representation, saying, “Thank you to the Cannes Film Festival for having our film here. Please don’t wait 30 years to have another Indian film.”
Meanwhile, renowned filmmaker Karan Johar marked his 52nd birthday with a cryptic announcement of his next directorial venture. Posting a picture of himself holding a script labeled “Untitled narration draft. Directed by: Karan Johar,” he simply wrote, “Get, set, go!” While details remain under wraps, it is noteworthy that Johar had previously announced he would embark on his first action film on his 50th birthday. Fans are left wondering about the fate of this project, especially in the wake of the delayed release of “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.”
Also wrapping up on a high note is Aryan Khan, who has completed filming for his directorial debut, “Stardom.” The web series, set in the entertainment industry, features Lakshya, Bobby Deol, and Mona Singh in principal roles. The team celebrated the milestone with a grand wrap-up party, where Aryan cut a three-tiered cake. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan, rejuvenated after recovering from heatstroke, along with his family, flew to Chennai to cheer for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (RH).
The 77th Cannes Film Festival has thus proven to be a platform of diverse narratives, showcasing Indian talent’s global impact while also sparking conversations about the true essence of artistic celebrations.
