The Cannes Film Festival continues to attract global attention every year for both cinema and celebrity appearances. While many Indian stars grab headlines for their red carpet looks, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap believes the real purpose of the festival is slowly being ignored in India.
Speaking in an interview with Sucharita Tyagi, Anurag Kashyap said that people in India are too focused on red carpet appearances and fashion, while very little attention is being given to films and cinema culture.
He said that many Indian celebrities and even filmmakers treat Cannes mainly as a glamorous event instead of understanding its larger importance as an international film festival where films from around the world are screened and discussed.
Talking about this growing obsession, Kashyap said, “In India, the problem and obsession with Cannes is only to walk the red carpet. They don’t understand that there is a festival, and the purpose of it is beyond the red carpet.”
The filmmaker also shared that he personally avoids unnecessary attention during the festival. He explained that he usually enters screenings quietly from the side instead of appearing on the red carpet. When asked why many people did not know he was present on the opening day of Cannes, he replied, “Hum log side se chale jaate hain. (We head inside from the side).”
Anurag Kashyap further said that the red carpet is actually the least important part of Cannes. According to him, the main focus should be on films, discussions around cinema, and learning from global filmmaking culture.
He also expressed disappointment that many Indian delegates who attend the market section of the festival are not actively watching films during the event.
Speaking about the same, Kashyap said, “What is more important is the cinema, and I don’t think people even come here for cinema. Even all the Indian people who are coming to the market are not watching films. Very rarely I see someone.”
Despite the debate around the purpose of Cannes, Indian celebrities continued to make headlines for their red carpet appearances this year. Stars like Alia Bhatt, Urvashi Rautela and Tara Sutaria were among those who attracted attention for their fashion choices at the festival.