Cannes is about films, not just red carpet’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Film Festival, which is mark ing its 75th year. Almost every - ‘news’ about Indian celebrities in the Festival was about - their red carpet walk in the most stunning designer wear and the fashion moments they conjured up with their sponsors.

The coverage of the red - carpet overshadowed the real intention of the festival so much that Kannada film director P Sheshadri, had to remind everyone that there were - screenings of films as well at the festival.

Sheshadri, who has won eight National Awards on the trot, is attending the festival and while posting a few pho tos himself, said, “The Cannes - Film Festival isn’t just about dresses; it’s also about films.” It left no doubt as to what he was referring to.

The red car pet overshadowing the films - in media coverage had caught Sheshadri’s goat. It seems very few Indian ce lebrities were at the southern - France town to promote their films or catch up on the latest in the world. One of the few exceptions was Tamil direc tor Atlee, who along with wife - Priya were also seen at the red carpet. But he had business in mind too. His Hindi debut, Jawan , starring Shah Rukh Khan, is releasing shortly and his team made sure the promotions of the film were not overshadowed by the red carpet walk.

Though Jawan did not premiere at Cannes, there were - four Indian films that are being screened. Nehemich directed by Yudhajit Basu is - the only Indian film in the competitive section.

Kanu Behl’s Agra was also premiered and it was his - second film at Cannes. Manipuri film Ishanou is a restored film that got a screening. The most noise however belonged to Anurag Kashyap’s crime thriller Kennedy which had a midnight screening.

Among the red carpet favourites were Deepika Padukone, who debuted as a jury member at Cannes, Aishwarya Rai, Nawazud din Siddiqui, Pooja Hegde, - Uruvashi Rautela, Taman nah Bhatia, Rahi Chadda, - Hina Khan, Iti Acharya and Diipa Khosla were spotted showing off their designer styles.