Bhavna Khullar
Cannes film festival is all set to celebrate its 61st anniversary, this May. The festival is undeniably a symbol of cinematic recognition, and holds both creative and commercial importance. The global audience for the annual fest makes it a prime spot for Hollywood, and equally advantageous for Bollywood, for it provides a platform to showcase the masterpieces of cinema.
Sadly, we would witness less of India at this year's 10-day event, which opens this week. Although, India is world`s largest film-producing nation, Bollywood would remain noticeably missing from the competition section of the forthcoming film fiesta.
A total of 57 full-length films from across 31 countries are lined-up to be showcased. 19 films have been unveiled, competing for the top honour Palme d`Or, under a jury headed by Sean Penn, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor. No Indian film features in the competition category though.
Bollywood in minority at the fest: ‘A’ representation
The 'A' listers, ‘A’ishwarya Rai Bachchan, ‘A’R Rahman, Dev ‘A’nand, and Tamil star 'A'jith Kumar are the few Indian bigwigs who would be living the action at Cannes 2008.
AR Rahman is included in the Cannes’ guest list every year. And this year too, the maestro would be seen in special designer wear by Bollywood costume designers Shantanu and Nikhil. Rahman will wear a Jodhpuri Bandhgala in blue. Rahman had asked for a dress in any colour but not black.
Adding to the names is our very own ‘Indian bahu’, the gorgeous Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who would be the face of the Indian film industry at the event. Ash would be seen flaunting an Indian attire this time, redeeming the debacle of her disastrous wardrobe at the previous Cannes events. Established names from the Indian fashion industry like Shiraf, Abu Jani and Samir Khosla have been roped in for the diva’s Indianised look.
Ash has always been very closely associated with the Cannes film festival. Apart from participating as a jury member in 2003, the two of her exceptional films, ‘Devdas’ and ‘Provoked’ were also screened at the festival. This time, hubby Abhishek Bachchan will also be seen gracing the red carpet, accompanying wife.
Looking at the Indian contribution to the list of movies to be showcased at the high-profile event, there are not many. The ‘evergreen’ actor Dev Anand’s 1965 super hit, Guide, is a potential participant, which would be screened as a part of Cannes Classics.
‘Classics’ is a section that was launched in 2004 to showcase the restored golden hits of the yesteryear. Along with Guide, Tamil actor Ajith starrer, ‘Billa’, the remake of superstar Rajinikanth’s blockbuster would be screened.
Apart from these, a short film from India ‘Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke’ has been selected in the `Short Film Corner` section. The ‘nine-minute’ film, written and directed by Manoj Srivastava, is mostly a silent film on contrasting lifestyle of ‘street children’ in New Delhi.
India and Cannes – ‘Old friends’
It all started in 1956, when Satyajit Ray`s ‘Pather Panchali’ was showcased and awarded at Cannes. Several other Ray films were shown in the festival`s competition as well as in other official categories.
Later, between 1974 and 1986, five other Indian films including Shyam Benegal`s ‘Nishant’ and Mrinal Sen`s ‘Ek Din Pratidin’ competed at the festival. And in the late 1980s, two Indian features from first time directors - Mira Nair`s ‘Salaam Bombay’ and Shaji N Karun`s ‘Piravi’ - left their own marks.
More recently, filmmakers like Rituparno Ghosh and Sudhir Mishra, Shonali Bose and others received international accolades for their ‘art’ works. These are the filmmakers, and their films, that have been cultivating a market for India internationally and even at Cannes.
Film Fest, a ‘filmi business’
Cannes is, perhaps, one of the most esteemed platforms to showcase India`s capabilities in the Global entertainment scenario. The film marketplace facilitates an opportunity to organise a network for future business prospects. Primarily, the objective of India’s keen participation in such events is to better the visibility of the Indian film industry’s products in the international markets. In recent times, there has been wider international acclaim received by Indian films abroad, thereby, increased emphasis on the need to facilitate Indian films export in overseas markets.
This year, an innovative handbook comprising the details of India’s cinematic achievements, shooting locales and post-production services, along with some other positives, has been compiled by NFDC, and will be distributed at Cannes.
The stature of Cannes Film Festival stands supreme in showbiz due to its firm association with quality films, distinguished creativity and talent of the artists, challenging environment and the competitive spirit of the professionals.
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