Anasuya Sengupta became the first Indian Best Actress winner at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Her portrayal in “The Shameless” earned her critical acclaim and a coveted award, marking a turning point for Indian cinema worldwide.
On a Friday night at the Cannes Film Festival, Anasuya Sengupta became the first Indian actress to win a coveted award for her performance. Even with her modest profile—she lived in Goa and worked mostly as a production designer in Mumbai—she won the Best Actress prize in the Un Certain Regard category. With well-known actress Mita Vashist, she was honored for her role in Bulgarian filmmaker Constantin Bojanov’s film “The Shameless.” Sengupta had a tough performance throughout the six-week filming in Nepal and India.
A Historic Indian Film Festival
For India, this year’s festival was a historic occasion. Nearly 50 years after its first release, Shyam Benegal’s Manthan was screened especially as part of the celebration, and Indian celebrities and influencers enthralled the international audience. With several nominations and now a noteworthy win, Indian films and talents shone brightly.
Journey of Anasuya Sengupta
Kolkata-born Anasuya Sengupta’s ascent to worldwide fame culminated in her Un Certain Regard Prize victory for Best Actress. Filmed by Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov, The Shameless is a compelling tale of Renuka, played by Anasuya, who leaves a Delhi brothel following a tragic run-in with a police officer. The story gains dimension from her co-star Omara Shetty’s portrayal as Renuka’s love interest.
Anasuya described in an exciting story to The Kolkata how thrilled she was to see The Shameless at the Un Certain Regard area. “I was overjoyed and leaped from my seat when I received the link to the press conference where our film was announced as part of the official Cannes selection,” the actress said.
Showing Off Indian Talent: Additional Cannes Victories
Two further Indian films that have gained international acclaim were also showcased at the festival. The La Cinef Selection saw Chidananda Naik’s Kannada short film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know take first place. Inspired by Indian folklore, Naik, a student at the Film and Television Institute of India, sought to transform these rich stories into cinematic encounters. “My goal to introduce Indian folktales to the world of cinema is just getting started,” Naik told The Hindu.
Third prize in the same category went to Mansi Maheshwari, a UK film student originally from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, with Bunnyhood. Maheshwari utilized a moving early experience as the basis for the movie to examine the concepts of deceit and truth. “My appendix operation story, wrapped in a lie, made for a compelling narrative to delve into the complex interplay of truth and its consequences,” she told Directors Note.
The Cannes Film Festival this year ends on May 25 with a legacy of remarkable presentations and ground-breaking accomplishments, especially for India. Anasuya Sengupta’s victory is a source of inspiration since it not only showcases the skill of Indian actors but also establishes a standard for the next stars on the international film scene.
Apart from honoring cinematic brilliance, this year’s festival has cleared the path for more varied stories and the acknowledgment of international artists. The successes of Anasuya Sengupta and other Indian filmmakers at Cannes are evidence of the rich potential and exciting development of Indian film.
77th Cannes Film Festival
The 2024 edition of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which featured a range of ground-breaking movies and performances, became very important to the international film industry. With her performance in The Shameless, Anasuya Sengupta achieved a historic first for Indian cinema by winning Best Actress. Beyond this milestone, the festival also commemorated the return of Manthan by Shyam Benegal, over 48 years after its premiere, together with other noteworthy Indian entrants, including Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know and Bunnyhood, which won the La Cinef Selection grand prize. Cannes 2024 demonstrated the breadth and depth of international cinema while highlighting the festival’s function as a forum for up-and-coming artists and avant-garde narratives.