Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has sparked debate with his comments about India’s recent success at the Cannes Film Festival. While the country celebrated a historic three awards, Anurag argues it’s not a national victory, but a testament to independent filmmakers struggling for recognition.
Anurag Kashyap calls out “fake celebration” of Indian Cinema at Cannes: “India just likes to take credit”
“I get very upset when it’s said ‘India@Cannes’. This is a boost… a shot in the arm for a lot of independent filmmakers but their victory is their own,” Kashyap told PTI in an interview. He stated that the wins by Payal Kapadia (All We Imagine As Light), Anasuya Sengupta (The Shameless), and Chidananda S. Naik (Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know) belong solely to these independent creators.
“India didn’t have any moment at Cannes, not a single of those films are Indian,” he argues. “We need to address it the way it should be addressed. India has stopped supporting such cinema, the kind of cinema that was at Cannes.” He points out that All We Imagine As Light, the first Indian film in 30 years to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or, was financed by a French company. Many of the celebrated films were co-productions with international partners.
The 51-year-old filmmaker is particularly critical of celebrating these wins without acknowledging the lack of domestic support. “India just likes to take credit for a lot of things, they do not support these films,” he stated. He highlighted the struggle for theatrical releases for award-winning films like Kapadia’s previous Cannes winner, A Night of Knowing Nothing.
The acclaimed director also criticized the media’s obsession with the Cannes red carpet, particularly the presence of influencers. “This obsession India has with Cannes… More than Cannes, it’s about the red carpet,” he says. He expressed his frustration at the lack of recognition for past achievements like Geetanjali Rao’s three Cannes wins in 2003.
Speaking of his professional front, Kashyap’s last directorial venture is Kennedy, which was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival last year. However, it is yet to be released on the big screen. Besides this, Anurag will be seen in a bunch of upcoming projects such as Bad Cop, an OTT release, and Maharaja starring Vijay Sethupathi.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Is Cannes losing its focus? Filmmaker Aditya Sarpotdar speaks about presence of Indian influencers at “hardcore” film event: “Red carpet appearances and influencer buzz won’t win national acclaim”
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