While India did not secure a spot in the main competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, its presence was still strongly felt across the Croisette in multiple meaningful ways. A year after Payal Kapadia made history with All We Imagine As Light, winning the coveted Palme d’Or, India’s participation in 2025 shifted toward other significant categories and contributions. From exciting new screenings to student film recognition, red carpet appearances, and major trailer launches at the Bharat Pavilion, India remained an integral part of the festival’s prestigious lineup. The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival ran from May 13 to May 24.
Payal Kapadia named to Cannes Main Competition Jury
Renowned filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who captured global attention last year with her Palme d’Or-winning film, returned to Cannes this time as a member of the main competition jury. Kapadia joins a prestigious panel alongside Halle Berry, Leila Slimani, Alba Rohrwacher, Jeremy Strong, Dieudo Hamadi, Carlos Reygadas, and Hong Sangsoo. The jury is chaired by French actress Juliette Binoche. Her appointment underscores a significant milestone for Indian representation at the pinnacle of international cinema.
Remembering Ray
Legendary actors Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal graced the Cannes Film Festival 2025 with their presence for the special screening of Satyajit Ray’s classic 1970 film Aranyer Din Ratri. The Bengali-language masterpiece, restored by acclaimed American filmmaker Wes Anderson, was presented in a stunning 4K version under the festival’s prestigious Cannes Classics section.
Both Tagore and Garewal made a memorable appearance at the gala, showcasing their timeless elegance while celebrating this cinematic treasure.
Homebound premiere
Janhvi Kapoor joined director Karan Johar and actor Ishaan Khatter at the Cannes Film Festival ahead of the premiere of their film Homebound. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound is featured in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. The film tells the poignant story of two childhood friends growing up in a North Indian village to be premiered on May 21.
Guneet Monga Kapoor Launches 'Women in Film India'
In a major industry milestone, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor unveiled Women in Film India (WIF India), a dedicated initiative to promote gender equity, international collaboration, and access for women in Indian cinema. Announced at Cannes, the initiative launched with the Cannes Producers Fellowship, supporting three women producers, Tillotama Shome, Rucha Pathak, and Dimpy Agarwal, to build global networks and co-production opportunities.
Cannes Fashion
At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Indian women made a remarkable impact on the global stage, showcasing a blend of cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary style on the red carpet.
Fashion influencer Masoom Minawala captivated attendees with a sculptural ivory silk jumpsuit and dramatic cape by Kolkata’s Reik Studio, featuring over 600 hours of hand embroidery, pearls, and enamel roses — a tribute to Indian artisanal excellence.
Nancy Tyagi, known for her sustainable fashion ethos, debuted a self-stitched pink ruffled gown crafted from 1,000 meters of fabric, underscoring India’s commitment to eco-conscious style at the festival.
Actress Urvashi Rautela made headlines as the first Indian actress on the Cannes 2025 red carpet, donning a midnight blue gown with a ruched skirt and sheer bodice, boldly owning the spotlight despite a minor wardrobe mishap.
Indian art patron and star of Netflix’s reality series ‘Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives’, Shalini Passi made a stunning debut at the Cannes Film Festival. She graced the red carpet in a custom-designed mermaid-style gown by Manish Malhotra, featuring striking artwork by renowned artist Paresh Maity—seamlessly blending fashion with fine art.
Mouni Roy, actress and entrepreneur, represented Indian cinema elegantly in an off-shoulder midnight blue and black gown by Caroline Couture, adding glamour to India’s cinematic presence at Cannes. Former Miss Universe India and doctor Nikita Kushwaha made a dazzling debut in a shimmering silver ball gown by Joli Poli, adding grace and charm to the festival’s glamorous lineup.
At Cannes 2025, Lapata actress Nitanshi Goel also paid a heartfelt tribute to women in cinema, celebrating their resilience and creativity in a traditionally male-dominated industry. What truly set this look apart was her custom-designed hair accessory by Be Abhika, featuring cascading pearl strands adorned with miniature photo frames of iconic actresses such as Madhubala, Rekha, Sridevi, Hema Malini, Waheeda Rehman, and Nutan. This unique tribute resonated deeply with fans and attendees, highlighting Goel's respect for the rich legacy of Indian cinema
