‘Representing India at the Cannes is a big deal’
The Hundred actor feels it is fantastic to see more women behind the camera, making it a level-playing field. “Today, you have Deepika, Alia and Kangana as producers. Now, the industry is accustomed seeing women [actors] wanting to take more challenging roles, not just from a creative point of view but also from a business point of view,” stresses the 43year-old.
And that’s one of the things she wants to witness more in the industry. “I want to see more acceptance. I want to see more women succeed within the business, making successful projects. Because that’s when you will also see a change in content. And you will see things become less formula-driven,” opines the BellBottom (2021) actor.
But for this change to take place, the Chalo Dilli (2011) producer hopes filmmakers take more chances with scripts. “Sometime back, I was having a conversation with the makers of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan if there is a female villain in the story; and told them they should really explore it soon because it has never been done on screen yet. These are the things we look forward to do,” she signs off.
Delhi-based filmmaker Shaunak Sen is all set to pack his bags and jet off to France for the screening of his documentary, All That Breathes, at the 75th edition of Cannes Film Festival. And he is happy to add to the growing popularity of India’s non-fiction globally.
Sen’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning documentary will be premiering in the Special Screening segment at the 10-day film festival, which will begin on May 17.
Sen calls it a prestigious moment to represent India on a global platform, yet again. He adds, “We are overwhelmed with joy, especially for the (growing) non-fiction film form in India...which is finding a platform and stage that it deserved earlier.”
Opening up about the project, he says, “Initially, I thought it is an obscure film about Delhi and it’s ecology; also it is lyrical, poetic and slow. I wasn’t sure about the distribution opportunities, and now going to Cannes will provide it an unparalleled stage.”
For Sen, India being the Country of Honour at the fest makes it extra special. “All these synergies happen together is quite thrilling, and feels like things spun into the right place. It is beautiful,” he says on a parting note.