Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on May 14 inaugurated the India Pavilion at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival here. He stressed the importance of movies in government campaigns like ‘Make In India’ and ‘Skill India’. “The new government at the Center is certainly more decisive and focused and is constantly working towards taking India to higher levels of growth, which is inclusive. The government is channelizing that objective through campaigns like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’, and realizes that the film industry is an important part of these campaigns given its tremendous potential towards job creation,” Rathore said.
The session also saw unveiling of the 46th IFFI, 2015 regulations and ‘India Film Guide’ by Rathore. The India Film Guide is a comprehensive booklet with information on policy initiatives by the government pertaining to film sector, the listing of Indian companies at Cannes Film Market, Indian films at Cannes and contacts of important people in the business of filmmaking.
Filmmaker Bobby Bedi, who delivered the welcome address, said: “India’s presence at Cannes has increased tremendously over the past decade and we have seen an increase in representation in terms of quantity and an improvement in the quality of content as well”.
Mohan Kumar, ambassador of India to France, said the ambition should be to get Indian films in the most important category of films at Cannes. He added over the next two to three years, he will strive to work on that.
The Cannes film gala began on May 13 and it will conclude on May 24.
Gurvinder Singh’s Punjabi film “Chauthi Koot” and Neeraj Ghaywan’s debut feature “Masaan” are among the Indian films that have been chosen to be screened in the official UnCertain Regard section of the jamboree, the red carpet of which is being graced by Indian ambassadors of L’Oreal Paris — Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.
With all eyes set on her red carpet Katrina chose to don a black and white ensemble before the big event. Katrina who had earlier emphasized that she wants to enjoy the film fest without fretting over her looks, picked up a white crop top and skirt from MILLY creation with shoes by Manolo Blahnik and jewelry by Maria Francesca Pepe, read a statement. The 31-year-old completed her look with sleek auburn hair with luminescent makeup and nude lips.
For her second red carpet appearance, Katrina chose a ravishing red Elie Saab gown matched with red lips. Highlighting her eyes in tones of taupe while lining them with a black liner, Katrina gave finishing touches to her makeup with perfectly contoured cheeks and sleek middle parted hair, said a statement from L’Oréal Paris, which she is representing at the international gala.
While Katrina made headlines with her Cannes debut, actress Mallika Sherawat too many a heads turn on the red carpet. She attended a discussion dressed in a bright yellow dress.
Two days after Katrina, Sonam Kapoor made her fifth Cannes appearance on May 16representing L’Oréal Paris, as she walked the red carpet in the striking blue gown paired with a matte orange lip color. Her hair in a gorgeous shade of praline brown, were styled in soft loose curls that cascaded over her shoulder. The “Khoobsurat” actress has mostly impressed fashion critics worldwide with her sartorial choices every year.
The same day, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dazzled in an Elie Saab emerald ensemble. The actress, who is attending the film festival as an L’Oréal Paris ambassador, looked resplendent as she completed her look with a matching emerald liner and sported a fusion of brown and ivory eye shadow. With soft tones of pink on her cheeks, Aishwarya added a dash of edgy glamour to her look with a bold wine color on her lips. The “Devdas” actress accessorized her look with shoes by Elie Saab and jewelry by De Grisogono.
Earlier in the day, Aishwarya also did a shoot for L’Oréal Paris with Eva Longoria, Natasha Poly and Li Bingbing. The Indian beauty also stressed on gender equality with Hollywood star Salma Hayek at a UN women’s panel discussion.
Along with her dazzling appearance on the red carpet, Sonam on May 17 launched Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna’s book titled “Utsav – A culinary epic of Indian festivals.” Before the launch, Sonam had tweeted: “Pl join me as we celebrate India with #UtsavatCannes with @thevikaskhanna today. Moment of pride for all of us in India.”
The star chef, who owns the New York restaurant Junoon, thanked the stars for their support. “Thank You @sonamakapoor @AnupamPkher for your love and support for #UTSAV and love for Indian Culture. Best V,” tweeted Khanna.
Also spotted on the opening night was Nandita Das in a gold, metallic handwoven linen saree by Anavila.
Meanwhile, film and theater veteran Shabana Azmi commented on how fashion is taking away the attention from cinema at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival. She says the film gala should be treated seriously and not as a fashion parade ground.
The actress took to Twitter to remind her fans and followers about the main motive behind holding a film festival. “2day Cannes seems to b a clothes parade! It’s a serious film festival guys not a fashion event. Hw abt focusing on films n filmakers (sic),” Shabana tweeted on May 15.
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