Actress emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and marketing opportunities at the prestigious film festival
Cannes, France – As the annual Cannes film festival takes place, the spotlight has shifted from movies to fashion and marketing, leaving some social media users dissatisfied. However, actress Richa Chadha has come to the defense of attendees without films, urging critics to let them enjoy the event and the opportunities it presents.
The Cannes film festival is renowned for celebrating the best works in the world of cinema, attracting actors, filmmakers, technicians, and critics from around the globe. It also serves as a platform for brands to make their presence known, often through the endorsement of celebrity brand ambassadors. In recent years, Indian actors and artists have made a significant impact at the festival, both through their films and brand associations.
This year, social media influencers from India have made their debut at Cannes, leading to increased scrutiny of the festival’s attendee list. Some argue that the event has become more focused on fashion than on movies. In response to the criticism, Richa Chadha took to Instagram Stories, requesting people to refrain from denigrating influencers and ambassadors attending the festival.
“People are excited to be here,” Chadha wrote. “I notice the ones that are thanking brands/designers/alcohol labels that are bringing their influencers here. It’s also a great venue for marketing, no? Let them be. You will notice most people say they’re at the red carpet but won’t specify the film. Well, cuz they’re not here with a film or for a film.”
Chadha, accompanied by her husband and actor Ali Fazal, is at Cannes as a producer for their film “Girls Will Be Girls.” She further emphasized that the ultimate joy for an artist is to present their film at the festival and experience the overwhelming response from the audience. She shared a poignant image of herself, co-star Vicky Kaushal, and director Neeraj Ghaywan after the screening of their film “Masaan” at Cannes, where they received a seven-minute standing ovation.
The conversation surrounding fashion overshadowing the essence of cinema at Cannes gained momentum in India when actress-filmmaker Nandita Das expressed her thoughts on the matter. While Das acknowledged the importance of films, she highlighted the criticism surrounding celebrities wearing traditional Indian attire, such as sarees, at the festival. She defended her choice of clothing, stating that the saree is simple, elegant, and representative of Indian culture.
This year, several Indian celebrities attended the Cannes film festival, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vijay Varma, Sunny Leone, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Sara Ali Khan, Diana Penty, Urvashi Rautela, Mrunal Thakur, Esha Gupta, Manushi Chhillar, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Mouni Roy. Anushka Sharma is also expected to grace the ceremony in the coming days.
In terms of film representation, four Indian films have been selected across different sections at Cannes. Kanu Behl’s “Agra” will be showcased in the Directors’ Fortnight, while Anurag Kashyap’s “Kennedy” will be screened during the Midnight Screenings. Additionally, Nehemich will be presented in the La Cinef section, and a restored Manipuri film titled “Ishanhou” will be featured in the Classics section.
As the Cannes film festival continues to unfold, the debate surrounding the balance between fashion, marketing, and the celebration of cinema persists. However, Richa Chadha’s defense of attendees without films highlights the importance of inclusivity and the diverse
