India isn’t just knocking on the doors of the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival—we’re already in the room with a strong presence.
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India has boasted 21 competitive wins, 3 technical awards, and 9 jury members at Cannes over the years, with several standout films each time.
This year’s lineup is nothing less too. Among the most heartening stories at Cannes this year is the success of A Doll Made Up of Clay—a short film made by an SRFTI student from Kolkata.
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Homebound is one of the most talked-about Indian entries at Cannes this year. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, this is his second feature film and is part of the festival’s Un Certain Regard section.
Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, the film is surprisingly backed by Dharma.
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Anupam Kher, stepping into the director’s role for Tanvi: The Great, will have the film’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film) during the festival as well.
With such an impressive lineup, Indian audiences aren’t just feeling proud of the country’s global representation—they’re also feeling frustrated.
Many have taken to social media, expressing how they feel cheated that while Indian filmmakers and producers are showcasing powerful, well-crafted stories on the global stage, audiences at home are being fed mediocre content.
Some even pointed out the irony that the same Dharma Productions backing a Cannes selection is also behind mindless content like Nadaaniyaan.
The Indian audience feels robbed of good cinema. While international viewers get access to fresh, thoughtful storytelling, Indian viewers are often force-fed recycled tropes and formulaic narratives under the guise of entertainment.
The Indian audience deserves better—if not Cannes-level content, then at least something far more meaningful than what is currently being served.
