global filmmaking

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Twinkle Khanna humorously reacted to Karan Johar's Met Gala debut, calling his artistic ensemble a "piece of art" she'd hang on her wall. Johar's elaborate outfit, inspired by Raja Ravi Varma and designed by Manish Malhotra, celebrated Indian art and culture on the global stage. This marked a significant moment for the filmmaker, reflecting on his journey and long-standing collaboration.

Actor-entrepreneur Akshay Jha is taking independent cinema beyond traditional theatrical spaces with his initiative, Cinema Salon. After working in films like Mission Mangal and Class of '83, Jha shifted focus towards creating a platform that connects filmmakers directly with audiences through curated screenings and discussions. Speaking about the challenges faced by indie films, he says distribution remains tougher than filmmaking itself. With Cinema Salon expanding internationally to cities like Madrid, Cannes and Berlin, Jha hopes to create a more immersive and community-driven film-viewing experience that prioritises storytelling and audience engagement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Everyday sexism, often disguised as humor or concern, pushes women into silence, speakers noted at a #StandWithHer campaign event. Panelists, including filmmakers and police officials, discussed how casual remarks and workplace dynamics impact women's emotional safety and self-censorship, emphasizing the need for societal and workplace change.

Alia Bhatt's Cannes remarks on gender-neutral filmmaking sparked debate. While advocating for stories that appeal to all, she faced accusations of hypocrisy due to her support for husband Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal'. Netizens questioned her stance, citing the film's controversial themes. Supporters, however, defended her call for better female representation in Indian cinema.

Filmmaker Goldie Behl lauded the upcoming 'Ramayana' teaser, praising its visual scale and expressing eagerness to see Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Yash as Ravana. He reflected on his 2008 film 'Drona,' noting its pioneering VFX work in Hindi cinema, despite commercial struggles, and its contribution to the industry's technical growth.

Making his mark at the Met Gala 2026, Karan Johar wowed attendees in a stunning Manish Malhotra ensemble that drew inspiration from the legendary Raja Ravi Varma. The night didn’t end there; at the after-party, he dazzled in a sophisticated Dries Van Noten look paired with his own Tyaani Jewellery, showcasing magnificent emeralds and rubies. Read on to know more in detail.

The film is being screened as part of a curated showcase presented by filmmaker Sudhir Mishra

Ram Charan's highly anticipated film 'Peddi' is slated for a June 4th release. The makers unveiled a rugged new poster, hinting at a special narrative. The trailer drops digitally on May 18th, following earlier reports of a May 16th launch event in Bhopal. The film boasts a stellar cast and will premiere on June 3rd.

Director Nia DaCosta expressed disappointment over '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple's' box office performance, which reportedly fell short of expectations and failed to recoup its production budget. Despite the financial outcome, DaCosta remains proud of the film, highlighting her personal satisfaction with the project and her enjoyment in making it.

Priyanka Chopra is set to rejoin the team of the ambitious film 'Varanasi,' directed by SS Rajamouli. The globetrotting adventure, starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran, sees Chopra portraying Mandakini. This marks her significant return to Indian cinema after her Hollywood endeavors, promising a unique blend of action and culture.

Karan Johar made his debut appearance at the Met Gala, becoming the first Indian filmmaker to attend the event. For the occasion, he wore a bespoke ensemble designed by Manish Malhotra, inspired by the works of Raja Ravi Varma. Johar was asked about his bond with Shah Rukh Khan, who attended the Met Gala last year.

Following Dhurandhar's massive success, 2026 is poised for a blockbuster year with highly anticipated releases like Ramayana, Toxic, and King. Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi highlights these, along with Rajinikanth's Jailor 2 and potential surprise hits like Aawarapan 2, as major draws. Franchise sequels like Welcome To The Jungle and Drishyam 3 also add to the excitement.

The trailer for 'Drishyam 3' has been released, revealing a new psychological dimension where Georgekutty faces an unknown threat, unlike previous installments. Director Jeethu Joseph highlighted this shift, while Mohanlal playfully hinted at 'Drishyam 4' and 'Drishyam 5', suggesting Georgekutty's story might extend further. The film, starring Mohanlal, is set for a May 21 release.

Mira Nair's ambitious biopic 'AMRI' has found its Amrita Sher-Gil in Anjali Sivaraman, chosen for her striking resemblance and emotional depth. After a global search, Sivaraman, known for 'Class', will portray the legendary artist's life from Paris to India. The film, also featuring Jim Sarbh and Emily Mortimer, is currently filming in Budapest.