global filmmaking

Manasi Parekh made her debut at the Cannes Film Festival, representing the Gujarati film industry at the Marche Du Film. She described the experience as "incredible," involving three days of immersion in cinema, networking, and showcasing Gujarati films. Parekh aims to elevate Gujarati cinema onto a global stage, believing in thinking "out of the box" to create universally resonant films.

Producer Adi Shankar predicts Indian cinema will soon dominate global blockbusters, citing its strength in emotional storytelling and original content. He believes India's confidence in its unique identity, rather than imitating Hollywood, is key to its success. Shankar also criticizes repetitive franchise filmmaking, suggesting audiences now crave authenticity and creative vision over mere spectacle.

Cannes 2026 highlights Arab and Middle Eastern cinema. Films from Palestine, Morocco, Egypt, and Iran feature prominently. This marks a shift towards culturally rooted storytelling. The festival emphasizes auteur cinema over Hollywood blockbusters. Arab filmmakers are gaining global recognition. This edition signifies a defining moment for regional cinema on the world stage.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, usually a fixture at Cannes with his films, is at the festival this year seeking clarity on cinema's future amidst AI and industry shifts. He's observing emerging filmmakers, hoping to reignite his passion. Kashyap also laments the red carpet overshadowing the actual cinematic experience, urging a return to film appreciation.

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta praised Aditya Dhar's vision behind 'Dhurandhar', calling it a massive risk given Ranveer Singh's career low and Dhar's limited filmmaking experience. He credited the Ambanis' backing as a key factor in the film's success. The two-part franchise has reportedly crossed Rs 3000 crore worldwide.

While women-led films in Hollywood continue to dominate the global box office, Alia Bhatt feels Indian cinema still largely focuses on catering to male viewers. The actress, who is currently attending the Cannes Film Festival, recently spoke about the need for more gender-neutral storytelling in Indian films. According to her, cinema should focus on stories rather than whether the lead actor is male or female.

Pop icon Kylie Minogue is unveiling her life and five-decade career in a new three-part documentary, 'Kylie,' premiering May 20. The series offers an intimate, unfiltered look at her journey from 'Neighbours' to global superstardom, exploring personal struggles, career shifts, and her enduring legacy. This highly anticipated series promises a candid reflection on her remarkable path.

Huma Qureshi graced the Cannes Film Festival, attending the Women in Cinema gala and making striking red carpet appearances. Reflecting on her journey, she credited Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for inspiring her Cannes dreams and her own elegant saree look as a homage. Qureshi emphasized the crucial role of film festivals in showcasing nuanced global cinema amidst algorithmic trends.

Yash is taking on a significant role in 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups,' contributing as writer and producer alongside his lead performance. He detailed his distinct approach to each responsibility, emphasizing creative freedom in writing, logistical planning as a producer, and anchoring the film's vision as an actor.

Alia Bhatt captivated at Cannes with a modern, saree-inspired ivory gown, drawing widespread admiration. She also represented India at the Bharat Pavilion, discussing Indian storytelling and promoting the nation as a filming destination. This follows her earlier glamorous red carpet debut, highlighting India's strong presence at the festival alongside other stars.

Curry Barker's thriller 'Obsession' is a global box office hit, earning over USD 21 million. As it heads to India, Barker reveals the film explores the fine line between love and fixation.

Dubai-based influencer Srilata Addepalli posted a video celebrating Telugu women like Bhavitha Mandava, Sobhita Dhulipala and Raja Kumari amid the controversy over Chanel dressing Bhavitha in jeans at the Met Gala. Sobhita, Raja Kumari, Lakshmi Manchu and Deepica all responded warmly, inspiring countless women from Telugu families worldwide.

Aditi Rao Hydari captivated the Cannes Film Festival with a stunning Tony Ward Couture gown. Her lime-green creation, featuring a dramatic cape and thigh-high slit, earned widespread admiration, including a 'W.O.W.' from husband Siddharth. This high-fashion moment on the red carpet for the screening of 'El Ser Querido' further solidifies her global style presence.

Gujarati cinema marks a historic global milestone as 'Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate' premieres at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival's Market Screening. Directed by Ankit Sakhiya, the film, described as the 'Most Divine Blockbuster Gujarati Film Ever,' aims to bring Gujarat's culture and faith to the international stage. This event highlights a strong Indian presence at Cannes 2026.

From the official delegation, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker will represent India in his capacity as the newly appointed director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Actor Farhan Akhtar is intensely preparing for his Hollywood debut in Sam Mendes' 'The Beatles' project, reportedly playing Ravi Shankar. He's learning the sitar under acclaimed musician Purbayan Chatterjee, who guided him through initial secrecy. Akhtar's dedication to mastering the instrument for this significant role is evident, generating considerable buzz.

India-born filmmaker Soumya Jyoti Pratihari's documentary "Shunya: Being Prafulla Mohanti" has won the Tongues on Fire Flame Award for Best LGBTQIA+ film at the UK Asian Film Festival. The film chronicles the five-decade friendship between artist Prafulla Mohanti and Derek Moore, highlighting Mohanti's creative legacy and journey as a migrant artist.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s absence from L'Oréal Paris’ latest Cannes Film Festival promotional posters created a massive buzz online, with fans expressing shock and disappointment over the actress not featuring in the campaign visuals. As the backlash grew, fans directly tagged the beauty brand on Instagram demanding an explanation. Reacting to the growing chatter, the brand’s official Instagram account called Aishwarya 'a living legend' in their response.

Singer Chinmayi Sripada revealed her fear in dubbing for Trisha in the blockbuster 'Karuppu', citing past backlash from Vijay's 'Leo' as a significant emotional trigger. She expressed concern for filmmaker RJ Balaji and his family, fearing her involvement might lead to criticism. Chinmayi hopes 'Karuppu' allows her to work without fear and for those banned to be unbanned.

India's vibrant presence is set to dazzle at Cannes Film Festival 2026, with stars like Alia Bhatt and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan leading the charge. Bhatt, representing a global beauty brand, expressed her excitement for the "bigger celebration" and the "sisterhood" at the festival.