Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message welcoming India's participation at the Cannes Film Festival as a 'Country of Honor" to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence, said India is the largest film producing country in the world and with films in many languages from different regions, rich heritage and cultural diversity, "we have a lot of stories to be explored". 

"It is heartening to note that a film by one of India's most renowned filmmakers, Shri Satyajit Ray, has been restored for screening at the Cannes Classics section, when India is celebrating the birth centenary of the legendary filmmaker. This edition of Cannes Film Festival is special in many ways. Many startups from India will showcase their strengths to the cinema world. The India Pavilion will display facets of Indian cinema and promote international partnerships and learnings," Modi said.

India truly possesses immense potential to become the content hub of the world. Government of India remains steadfast in its efforts towards furthering ease of doing business in the film sector," Modi declared. 

The 75th Cannes Film Festival started on May 17 and will go on till May 28. India is in focus this year, 

Top personalities from India's entertainment business including A R Rahman, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nayanthara Pooja Hegde, Prasoon Joshi, R Madhavan, Ricky Kej, Shekhar Kapur, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vani Tripathi and folk singer Mame Khan are part of the delegation at Cannes led by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.

As one of the highlights of India's status as the Country of Honour, a special screening of a restored Indian classic Pratidwandi, directed by Satyajit Ray, has been planned as part of the Festival's Cannes Classics selection.

In addition, world premieres of a selection of Indian films will be held at the Olympia Cinema. India will be showcasing five movies Baghjan (Assamese) by Jaicheng Zxai Dohutia, Bailadila (Chhattisgarhi) by Shailendra Sahu, Ek Jagah Apni (Hindi) by Ektara collective, Follower (Marathi) by Harshad Nalawde and Shivamma (Kannada) by Jai Shankar under the "Goes to Cannes Section".

R Madhavan's film, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, will have its world premiere at the festival.

Besides, Indian actor Deepika Padukone is part of the Cannes 2022 jury. 

(SAM)