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Indian Presence at 2025 Cannes Film Festival

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is underway, featuring a few Indian films and personalities. One of the most anticipated moments will be the world premiere of Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound in the Un Certain Regard section. Global brand ambassador for Gucci, Alia Bhatt, is making her debut at the festival, while Aishwarya Rai is expected to make a fashion statement on the red carpet as a L'Oreal ambassador. The cast of Homebound, including Janhvi Kapoor and Ishan Khatter, are expected to attend, alongside Karan Johar, who backed the film. Veteran star Sharmila Tagore will be present for the world premiere of the restored version of Satyajit Ray's film Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest) in the Cannes Classics category.

Key Takeaways:

  • No Indian film is part of the main competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
  • Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound will feature in the Un Certain Regard section.
  • Alia Bhatt, global brand ambassador for Gucci, is making her debut at the festival.
  • Aishwarya Rai, a L'Oreal ambassador, will make a fashion statement on the red carpet.
  • Karan Johar, who backed the film, is expected to attend the festival.
  • Janhvi Kapoor and Ishan Khatter, the stars of Homebound, will attend the festival.
  • Sharmila Tagore will be present for the world premiere of the restored version of Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest).
  • Payal Kapadia, writer-director, is part of the main competition jury at the festival.
  • Payal's 2024 film All We Imagine As Light premiered at Cannes last year and won the Grand Prix.

Statistics:

  • The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is missing Indian films in its main competition for the first time.
  • Alia Bhatt is the first Indian global ambassador for Gucci.
  • Aishwarya Rai has been a Cannes regular for two decades as a L'Oreal ambassador.
  • Karan Johar's production company, Dharma Productions, backed Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound.
  • Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound will have a world premiere at the festival.
  • Janhvi Kapoor and Ishan Khatter, from the cast of Homebound, are attending the festival.
  • Payal Kapadia's film All We Imagine As Light premiered at Cannes last year and won the Grand Prix.
  • 42nd edition of Cannes Film Festival (https://wwwVariety.com/2025/05/cannes-2025-lina-rodes-palme-d-or-favorite-to-win-1234882048/).

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times
  • Variety.com

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