MP woman sits with 42-year-old fashion designer son's corpse for 5 days, praying for his revivalPolice said a milkman went to deliver milk and reported a foul odour and seeping blood, leading to the discovery of the body five days after the man died Updated on: May 26
Think tanning and pigmentation are the same? Experts decode the crucial differences between the twoTanning and pigmentation are often used interchangeably, but there’s quite a difference between the two. Experts decode the difference. Published on: May 26
‘Don’t visit Sikkim if you litter’: Anand Mahindra sparks civic sense debateAnand Mahindra’s X post on littering in Sikkim has gone viral, sparking debate on civic responsibility and tourist behaviour. Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:46 PM IST By Vaishali Kapila Share via Copy link Industrialist
China and Pakistan have reached a "new broad consensus" on deepening strategic ties to beef up development of a joint economic corridor and establish the port of Gwadar as a regional connectivity hub, the neighbours said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026)
Four All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLAs have resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly over two days, with three of them joining the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, The Hindu reported. Three of them, Maragatham Kumaravel, the MLA from Madurantakam
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Backpacking across Europe? A solo traveller and content creator suggests the perfect packing listA solo traveller shares the smartest Europe backpacking essentials
PM Modi to visit Australia in ‘near future’: Australian foreign minister Penny WongWong said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had announced that Modi would visit Australia in the “near future”. Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:46 PM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link Prime Minister
Woman shows ladoos melting in Delhi heat, says ‘Inki abh barfi banegi’A viral video showing boxes of ladoos turning into a soft mess has left the internet amused, as people react with memes and relatable summer experiences. Updated on: May 26
What no one tells you about the Cannes Film Festival
What no one tells you about the Cannes Film Festival
This year was special for South Asia at the Cannes Film Festival, despite no Indian feature films being in the official selection. We only had Mehar Malhotra’s short film Shadows of the Moonless Nights in the La Cinef section, and the restored version of John Abraham’s Amma Ariyan (Report to Mother, 1985) in the Cannes Classics.
Nepal beat us to the awards, with Abinash Bikram Shah’s Elephants in the Fog winning the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, and the Best Sound Creation Award. The film, set in a feisty kinnar or transgender community living on the edge of a forest with wild elephants, humanises an often despised community. I was thrilled to note that Nepali-American designer Prabal Gurung created custom couture for the spirited transgender cast. It always helps to have a veteran designer guide first-timers on the red carpet.
Director Abinash Bikram Shah and the cast of Elephants in the Fog, Pushpa Thing Lama, Saha Din Miya, Jasmine Bishwokarma, and Aliz Ghimire | Photo Credit: Reuters
Meanwhile, from the Indian segment it was a proud moment to see Payal Kapadia — whose film, All We Imagine as Light, won the Grand Prix at Cannes two years ago — as president of the Semaine de la Critique/Critics’ Week. Very few in India have had this honour, and it made me recall my time as a Critics’ Week jury member in 2023. (Kapadia and I are the only Indians to have been invited to this jury in the last five years, and perhaps even longer.)
Payal Kapadia, president of the 65th Semaine de la Critique's jury with jury members Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, Ama Ampadu, and Oklou (aka Marylou Mayniel) | Photo Credit: Reuters
The jury judges first and second features, and shorts. Back then, I shared the responsibility with German actor Franz Rogowski, French director Audrey Diwan (her film Happening won the Golden Lion in Venice in 2021), Portuguese cinematographer Rui Poças, and Sundance Film Festival’s director of programming, Kim Yutani.
I recall how, as jury members, we were invited to the opening night red carpet at the Palais des Festivals, the film screening, and then dinner. Having arrived in Cannes only a few hours before the evening was to start, I quickly changed into an elegant black handloom sari and velvet blouse, and went down to meet the jury.
As Ava Cahen, then artistic director, introduced us to each other, Franz Rogowski turned to me and said, “Excuse me.” He then leaned over and closed the top button at the back of my blouse. “You look absolutely lovely,” he added, smiling. I nearly fainted from his generous compliment, but also died of embarrassment at our awkward blouse button introduction. That’s why I detest blouses with buttons at the back, which need a second pair of hands to do them up properly.
The next day, an Indian media headline went, ‘Who’s that woman on the red carpet in a sari?’, along with a photo of all of us. Since I was on a film jury, and hadn’t hired a PR agent, nobody knew me. The media train their lenses on the stars and influencers, laser-focussed on translating their five seconds of fame into zillions of online views.
(L-R) Franz Rogowski, Ava Cahen, Audrey Diwan, Rui Poças and Meenakshi Shedde | Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain
The strategy has paid off. Today, rumours swirl of fixers who charge over ₹2 lakh to arrange quick photos/reel shoots on the red carpet before the bouncers arrive. Alongside, the media also focuses on the films at the Marché du Film, not realising that at the business wing anyone can hire a booth or tent to promote their films. It is not the same as being in the official selection with Cannes’ highly-curated films.
This edition saw actors such as Alia Bhatt and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan draw a lot of attention for their couture. I wonder if there are still Cannes goers like me who do #FestivalsOnALoveBudget, and wear mainly saris or clothes borrowed from friends, delighted to showcase our rich textile heritage with a Baluchari, Paithani or Garad silk.
Alia Bhatt at the premiere of A Woman's Life | Photo Credit: AP
Meanwhile, D-Day 2023 had a few outliers. When our jury went on stage to announce the Critics’ Week prize winners, I remember most men had turned up quite dandified. But not Rogowski. He was in a plain cotton button down shirt and pants, refusing to be cowed down by Cannes’ famous fashion terror. “We’re German, you know?” he told me with a shrug. We had a lot in common — I’d worn a pair of ₹100 black rubber-soled Bata shoes on the opening night red carpet because it was predicted to rain.
My abiding image of Cannes will be of the women who preen on the red carpet in extravagant gowns with eight-foot-long trains. Some, I discovered, pre-arranged a ‘train girl’ just to hold and arrange it for photos. But horror follows these photos — how can they watch a film in the Palais des Festivals sitting with the whole train tucked under them?
Attendees in extravagant gowns with eight-foot-long trains | Photo Credit: Meenakshi Shedde
Plus, it often rains in Cannes, and I have photos of women walking desolately, holding these wet, bedraggled trains draped over their arms. And if they couldn’t get a cab, they were often barefoot, holding their high heels in their hands. Because after the drama, who cares?
A woman with her bedraggled train draped over her arm | Photo Credit: Meenakshi Shedde
An independent curator to festivals worldwide for the last 27 years, the writer is the Toronto International Film Festival’s Senior Programme Advisor (South Asia), and was the Berlin Film Festival’s South Asia Delegate from 1998-2025.
Published - May 23, 2026 08:14 pm IST
The Hindu Sunday Magazine / cinema / English cinema / cinema / Indian cinema / cinema industry / production & direction (cinema) / arts, culture and entertainment / Cannes Film Festival / France
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Aaradhya Bachchan Makes Cannes Film Festival Debut Malayalam film Private screened at Moscow International Film Festival Cannes Palme dOr winner Cristian Mungiu to direct film Fjord starring Sebastian Stan Pierre Salvadori’s La Vénus Électrique Set As Opening Film For Cannes Film Festival 2026 5 simple ChatGPT prompts to make you look like a Cannes red carpet celebrity One family, who wants peace,’ Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader in rare meeting Alia Bhatt teases Alpha first look at Red Sea Film Festival Bayaan' To Have World Premiere At Toronto International Film Festival IFFI To Host India’s First-Ever AI Film Festival And Hackathon In Goa Guwahati Asian Film Festival opens with Uzbek movie
Martha Mitchell was a flamboyant Washington DC socialite whose husband was embroiled in the Watergate scandal. Her shocking claims of a violent abduction and a "dirty business" were ridiculed as delusional – until they turned out to be true. Martha Mitchell was a character; everyone agreed on
1 minutes ago
From the academic year 2026–27, bilingual classes will be introduced in all government schools across 15 districts of the state. While the government had earlier announced that English would be introduced in LKG classes, a fresh directive now states that an Urdu-English bilingual medium will also
3 minutes ago
Trading scalpel for golf irons: Indian-origin golfer Manav Shah’s stirring journey to US OpenTrading scalpel for golf irons: Indian-origin golfer Manav Shah’s stirring journey to US Open Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:14 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi
3 minutes ago
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that he was not in favour of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords to normalise relations with Israel. Also read | Pakistan deploys jet squadron, thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia amid escalating Iran war tensionsPakistan’s Defence Minister
1 minutes ago
AIADMK MLA Esakki Subaya submitted his resignation today. He is the fourth MLA from the party to resign in two days. Subaya supported former ministers C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani. Three other AIADMK MLAs also resigned yesterday. They are expected to get tickets for upcoming byelections from the
2 hours ago
Kimi Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers' championship after Mercedes team-mate George Russell retired from the Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished second and Max Verstappen's Red Bull made up the top three. Russell was successful earlier in the weekend when he converted
2 hours ago
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of three persons who died in February 2003 during protests seeking to declare the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar district as a temple, The Hindu reported
2 hours ago
2026 Honda City facelift on wishlist? Key genuine accessories you can buyThe 2026 Honda City facelift can be accessorised with a plethora of genuine accessories. Published on: May 26, 2026 1:40 PM IST By Mainak Das Share via Copy link Limited Time Deals on Popular cars Volvo XC90 ₹ 97
2 hours ago
Lawyer seeks to register Cockroach Janta Party separately from US-based founderSudhir Jakhar, the lawyer calling himself the party’s national convener, submitted the application to the ECI secretary Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:57 PM IST By Harsh Yadav Share via Copy link A lawyer from Haryana’s
2 hours ago
South Korean seven-piece BTS have won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards (AMAs) for the second consecutive year, cementing their status as one of the world's biggest bands. The award, considered the ceremony's grand prize, is just the latest crown jewel for the so-called kings of K-pop
2 hours ago
The ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026 recognises the AI Platforms, Infrastructure & Developer Tools category. It highlights the technologies powering the next phase of enterprise AI from platforms and MLOps to observability and developer tools. These innovations are enabling scalable
2 hours ago
Vedant Shrivastava posts correct CBSE answer sheet, alleges marks slashed for right answerClass 12 student Vedant Shrivastava has received his correct answer sheets after CBSE admitted to a mix-up with his Physics paper. Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:13 PM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link Class
2 hours ago
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to boost the state's economy to Rs 10 lakh crore by 2028. He stated the tabling of the Uniform Civil Code bill demonstrates the government's dedication to the rights of minority women. Sarma also noted the election results reflected public
2 hours ago
Air India has rolled out an upgrade to its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, allowing members to earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India Express flights covering more than 55 destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. The move broadens the scope of the airline group’s
2 hours ago
Hansal Mehta has long been recognised as one of India’s most emotionally observant storytellers. Whether through the raw realism of Shahid, the intimacy of Aligarh, the unsettling tension of Scam 1992 or the deeply human narratives that run across his body of work
2 hours ago
Tech Tonic | Ferrari Luce, Sir Jony Ive, and a subversion of ethosFerrari Luce is trying to tell the carmakers of the world that cars don’t have to feel like driving a tablet. Published on: May 26, 2026 11:43 AM IST By Vishal Mathur Share via Copy link The first car from Sir Jonathan Paul Ive
2 hours ago
SC stays Delhi HC ruling against barring law students over attendance shortageA bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while issuing notice on a petition filed by the Bar Council of India (BCI) against the November 2025 judgment of the Delhi HC Published on: May 26
2 hours ago
Hema Malini’s blush pink saree for receiving Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan is all about elegance and simplicity. See picsVeteran actor Hema Malini looked graceful in a blush pink saree as she accepted late actor Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan at the 2026 ceremony in New Delhi
2 hours ago
Bengaluru traffic police slaps auto driver over accident, viral video sparks outrageMany on social media have tagged Bengaluru Police, urging them to take a look into the matter where a cop allegedly slapped an auto driver. Published on: May 26
2 hours ago
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday (May 25, 2026) called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume bombing Beirut in response to increased explosive drone attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli troops and northern Israel towns. Mr
2 hours ago
has reported a net profit of Rs 48.4 crore for FY26, its first full financial year after the completed its with , marking a turnaround from a Rs 216.7 crore loss in the previous year.Total income more than doubled to Rs 1,402.7 crore in FY26 from Rs 603.8 crore in FY25
2 hours ago
Partnership, the firm cofounded by Indian entrepreneurs , Sanjeev Kumar and Ashish Kumar, has launched a dedicated frontier-tech investment platform, (Fundamentum Frontier Advisors), with Rs 3,000 crore to invest in artificial intelligence and deeptech startups.Of this, Rs 2
2 hours ago
The admission process for IGNOU July 2026 session has commenced for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes. Interested students can apply by visiting ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The Indira Gandhi National Open University has started the admission process for the July 2026
2 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.From instant coffee to incredible: The best easy-to-use brewers for a better morningGood coffee at home no longer needs cafe visits, as these coffee machines can handle espresso
2 hours ago
5 crystals to bring luck and financial growthGemstones are tools to connect your goals with your actions and mindset. Here are five crystals that are often linked with luck and financial growth. Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:20 PM IST Edited by Kanakanjali Roy Share via Copy link While crystals are
2 hours ago
The U.S. military said it carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely”. The strikes were done “to protect our troops from
2 hours ago
Wall Street is abuzz with next month’s expected blockbuster debut of Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker SpaceX, but few of the biggest IPOs in recent years have paid off for investors who bought in when the deals came to market. A Reuters analysis of the 50 IPOs with the highest
2 hours ago
