Cannes 2025: Indian Cinema’s Powerful Lineup Lights Up the Global Stage

May 15, 2025 Komal Das Thick Brush Stroke

Indian films make a strong mark at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, featured across multiple official sections beyond the main competition

[{"selector":"#anim-3ef12b92-f9c1-4bab-baa3-e41d04b8bbf1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(4.281509321837596%, 4.346321745226243%) scale(1.423728813559322)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1586ea4-f650-49b7-a6f9-28d8647c85ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c708d17a-687f-4193-b94c-69e81132b337","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-012a01a2-629d-4ff2-8130-fc00ce8c773b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e6abc370-38f8-44e3-a556-d68efab371e5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf4ad53c-98f0-496e-886c-5a0a22c08b65","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cd945f0-b983-4db7-bda8-b8cfec538dd2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1fd4ab7e-4fff-4bd6-8054-8da91d384681","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ed695eb5-b49b-4737-8ba3-863c52085ef1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, tells a story of two friends from rural India facing class struggles while chasing their dreams

[{"selector":"#anim-e685fc90-18aa-403a-9d25-780e90b6b7d8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.4774191057212427%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c13b8fff-4130-47a9-b1db-b469d4cdebbf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e6da173-eaec-4839-961a-b35bb25b8d3b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe865033-5764-4515-8e44-6005b294b4f8","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d847d1dc-c13e-4d3e-929b-b1e567843b55","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a824567c-ffac-4fca-b5ae-45c54fa9d76c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6514e224-224f-426c-938c-9f2dfa247145","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01579d0e-7aeb-4ee5-9bc2-7b0c578d1c45","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27b322f0-4c5a-45ee-9d07-80eabce36a6c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Satyajit Ray’s 1970 classic Aranyer Din Ratri returns in Cannes Classics, digitally restored in 4K, with original cast member Sharmila Tagore attending

[{"selector":"#anim-a60a15da-ec90-4c79-b35a-9ad813ca8d05 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-24.928572181499753%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b6d5f1d-a313-48f5-9f71-1e782919cd21","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8892a78-8e7d-4875-b4a3-a38a2977a2c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2197d7b0-d520-4509-b233-4bc6cb87adba","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe42cd12-a4e6-47dc-b81c-604e7b2140cd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-baf3fc5d-94ed-420d-83f0-d96da3654434","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5667cd96-00f8-4677-9c02-40aacf956abf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70ea3a97-0657-40c1-bcae-171f880cf564","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28a7ab3f-4fe8-4984-aa83-bc6092c417ef","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Anupam Kher’s directorial debut Tanvi The Great premieres at the Cannes Film Market, featuring a star-studded cast including Karan Tacker and Iain Glen

[{"selector":"#anim-b5b000d3-9d85-487d-a6d1-72f1f523d47a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95a437c0-6326-4711-ad7b-7de6bb83b840","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65dde66a-056b-4998-8988-2c4d306d4278","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a14cc3de-5e65-458a-ada9-441459bab959","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9830b94a-a605-49ca-b9c1-01fa594ed1e0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8786a7c-a790-41de-a618-72eb6f266ff0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1543676-db87-4cda-a61a-9d29937f0c2d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50d4e156-7368-4967-abb6-46830e8e5c74","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f3054bb-ddb5-4767-b76a-58a9b664e880","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The short film A Doll Made Up of Clay, produced by Kolkata’s SRFTI, explores the spiritual journey of a Nigerian footballer in India

[{"selector":"#anim-ef63b0ac-2091-46ff-badd-488ef6670c9f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43f858cb-67de-4052-a47c-5144431b172d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dce66f44-b204-4749-a0d4-c3e357b893ec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd2c0aec-43c8-4686-9c98-082a8de75661","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6cd9abd5-f7ab-4c09-a477-44c533d5b2f4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-851b3d8c-53d4-47b2-a4e8-25c6cb91090e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16e9650a-942b-4d6d-8325-b19fe6b62bb0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b106db3b-df28-453d-b267-6523e03e7b66","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2ba1983-4ea3-4e4b-8f7d-a2b24c4a9241","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Bengali film Charak dives into the Charak Puja festival, exploring themes of faith, belief, and cultural traditions

[{"selector":"#anim-5332dc36-31a3-44e9-960c-5bd7df41214a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf5dcb91-1e36-4818-bbd9-9b5ae6126d66","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0a9afdd2-8fd2-43ce-bb0b-dab9e732646f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bf0d372-f412-4357-a9e9-59b6b2cfac16","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8bd87d01-7dcd-40d9-9743-887b9fb16a84","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d55c5f48-6ccf-4d42-968b-04fde154300f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dbfdfd70-863d-4734-aa10-7588617394d8","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c66913b-3b97-4f18-b3b4-240dd126373c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ef024f2-d0ea-4942-96be-c58b769f9e2f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

From new voices to timeless classics, Indian cinema’s diverse showcase at Cannes highlights its expanding global influence and storytelling depth

[{"selector":"#anim-e28eda76-3ba5-4fff-a210-8f01e6a14fc1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(17.830538830141474%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07cc0381-8736-4153-99ad-52f42a14f9f1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9de48962-ebeb-4390-9350-1fe97777c919","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-12f7c76e-19f5-41e8-9f22-08ff0373c683","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e815c79-2280-485a-8a9e-b57c6d9de8c1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6056a5bb-7ba5-4048-aa32-73e3127233ce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c91e785-3d1f-41cb-8e96-a1782e01b8a0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-860dfdf1-a86e-4a16-969f-f7b9795791ac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-949638bf-4f66-468c-b4f6-ddb6ff28b76c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Read More 10 Fashion Mistakes That Can Age You Plants That Keep Your Aquarium Fish Happy BCCI Ordered to Pay ₹538 Crore to Kochi Tuskers Trump Taps Chad Meredith: The Kentucky Lawyer Joe Biden Withdrew