Ind ian diversity at Cannes

CINEMA celebrities from across India will walk the red carpet with Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The ministry said the red carpet walk at the 75th Cannes Film Festival would be a gala event for Indian audience on Tuesday.

Thakur will lead the delegation. The list of celebrities comprises actor Akshay Kumar; music composers AR Rahman and Ricky Kej; folk singer and music composer Mame Khan; actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui; actresses Nayanthara, Pooja Hegde, Tamannaah Bhatia and Vani Tripathi; actor R Madhavan and film-maker Shekhar Kapur.

The ministry said the intent was to showcase the rich flavour and diversity of India – culture, heritage, legacy and developments through its cinema.

“Several new initiatives were undertaken at the recently concluded 52nd International Film Festival of India like collaboration with OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime among others; recognition to 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow and the BRICS film festival.

In the same spirit, several new and exciting initiatives are lined-up this year for Cannes,” the ministry said.

India is the “official country of honour” at the Cannes Film Market (Marche’ Du Film) in this edition of the festival.

This is the first time this honour has been bestowed on any country and comes at a time when India celebrates its Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

India and France are also celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. |