Snapshots
For decades, Indian filmmaking has flirted with the global spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival. All these years, it has been a red carpet appearance here, a scattered screening there, but Cannes 2025 marks a new kind of presence. And while we understand that the representation is still not robust, it’s no longer merely a token. This year, Indian filmmakers are no longer just visitors at the Cannes Film Festival; they’re starting to be invited in, and some, finally, are being handed the mic.
Homebound by Neeraj Ghaywan
Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, which was chosen for Un Certain Regard, is at the forefront this year. Ghaywan, who is well-known for his subdued yet incisive depictions of social injustice in films like Masaan and a part of the series Made in Heaven, makes a triumphant comeback with a very personal film that has already caused a stir in the French Riviera. The story of the film follows two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.
Homebound stars big names like Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, promising complex performances that are bound to resonate with the audiences. And if the film's concept wasn't significant enough, it's also causing a stir since it brought in Martin Scorsese as an executive producer. The partnership with the acclaimed filmmaker is huge because it represents an international recognition like no other, and much-needed attention to caste narratives in international film.
SRFTI making it to Cannes
Student filmmaking is competing in another fascinating area of the event. A Doll Made of Clay, a short film, has been selected for Cinéfondation on behalf of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI). Made under the institute's zero-budget programme, the film was directed by Kokob Gebrehweria Tesfay, an Ethiopian student at SRFTI. It's a beautiful victory for the school that is producing a new generation of ambitious storytellers, regardless of their nationality, as well as for the student filmmaker.
Anupam Kher's debut film at Cannes
The international premiere of Tanvi the Great, the veteran actor Anupam Kher's directorial debut, will also take place in Cannes 2025, at the film festival’s Special Screenings section. Starring Kher, Shubhangi Dutt, Boman Irani, Nassar, among others. Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen is also a part of the film. The film features sound design by Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty for Slumdog Millionaire.
Produced by Anupam Kher Studios in collaboration with NFDC, the film is set to premiere at the Marche du Film.
Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri in 4K
If that wasn't enough to make you excited for Cannes 2025, a 4k restoration of Satyajit Ray’s 1970 film Aranyer Din Ratri is making a historic return to the film festival this year. The painstakingly restored version comes from the Film Heritage Foundation in association with foreign archives and reintroduces new viewers to Ray's exquisite and complex storytelling. Reclaiming cultural memory and serving as a reminder of Indian cinema's legacy beyond red carpets and hashtags, this is a restoration worth getting excited for.
Beyond Films — Payal Kapadia at Cannes
India's progress at Cannes isn't only about the films; it's also about the filmmakers getting their long-overdue credit. Payal Kapadia, whose 2021 film A Night of Knowing Nothing took home the prestigious L'Œil d'Or for Best Documentary, is at the forefront of this movement. The filmmaker also made big moves last year with her next, All We Imagine As Light, winning the Grand Prix at Cannes. Payal returns this year to serve on the Directors' Fortnight jury, solidifying her standing as one of India's most important modern voices.
Cannes 2025 Kicks Off Today — With Glamour in Tow
There is a lot of excitement in the air as the 78th Cannes Film Festival begins today. The red carpet has all these years, been a reflection of India's cinematic presence, with a roster of celebrities prepared to give it their all. Returning as the global ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, Alia Bhatt is anticipated to walk the red carpet wearing a unique Indian designer outfit that combines modern flair with vintage glitz.
In addition to her, Shalini Passi, the art patron and philanthropist whose daring choices (design and otherwise) made news on the Netflix show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Cannes veteran who continues to redefine ageless beauty, are both expected to walk the red carpet this year.
As camera flashes go off and murmurs of Oscar buzz begin, India’s slow but steady growth at the prestigious film festival is one to cherish. The recognition was long overdue, and honestly still underrepresented, but undeniably on the rise.
So here’s to celebrating our storytellers breaking borders, the visionaries being seen, and the red carpet finally holding space for more than flashy fashionistas. The world’s watching, and India films are ready to shine.