Anurag Kashyap Critiques India’s Cannes Celebrations, Highlighting Independent Filmmakers’ Struggles
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has ignited a debate with his forthright comments on India’s recent successes at the Cannes Film Festival. While the country celebrated a historic haul of three awards, Kashyap contends that these victories are not national triumphs but rather a testament to the resilience and talent of independent filmmakers fighting for recognition.
Independent Filmmakers’ Victories
“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 a recent interview. He emphasized that the accolades received by Payal Kapadia for “All We Imagine As Light,” Anasuya Sengupta for “The Shameless,” and Chidananda S. Naik for “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” belong solely to these creators and not to the nation as a whole.
A Lack of Domestic Support
Kashyap criticized the notion that India had a significant moment at Cannes, pointing out that none of the winning films were fully supported by Indian entities. “India didn’t have any moment at Cannes, not a single of those films are Indian,” he argued. He highlighted that “All We Imagine As Light,” the first Indian film in 30 years to compete for the Palme d’Or, was financed by a French company, emphasizing the reliance on international co-productions.
Challenges Faced by Indian Filmmakers
The acclaimed director expressed his frustration with the lack of support for award-winning films domestically. He noted the struggle for theatrical releases for films like Kapadia’s previous Cannes winner, “A Night of Knowing Nothing,” which faced significant hurdles despite its international acclaim.
The Media’s Obsession with Cannes Red Carpet
Kashyap also took aim at the Indian media’s fixation on 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 said, lamenting the lack of focus on cinematic achievements. He recalled past successes like Geetanjali Rao’s three Cannes wins in 2003, which did not receive the recognition they deserved.
Anurag Kashyap’s Professional Front
On his professional front, Kashyap’s latest directorial venture, “Kennedy,” was screened at the Cannes Film Festival last year but is yet to be released theatrically. Additionally, he is involved in upcoming projects like “Bad Cop,” an OTT release, and “Maharaja” starring Vijay Sethupathi.
The Cults Bay Concludes.,
Anurag Kashyap’s candid remarks challenge the narrative of India’s recent Cannes success, shedding light on the struggles faced by independent filmmakers and the need for greater domestic support. His critique underscores the importance of recognizing individual achievements and addressing the broader issues within the Indian film industry.
