Indian delegation led by I&B Minister Anurag Thakur lights up red carpet at Cannes

Dressed in tritional attire, 11-member Indian delegation led by I&B Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday walked red carpet at inaugural Cannes Film Festival in France, where India has been named 'country of honour' at Marche du Film, business counterpart of marquee event.

Mame Khan, tritional Manganiyar singer from Rajasthan, became first folk artiste to open red carpet event for Indian contingent at Cannes.

Donning a cream-coloured bandhgala, Information and Brocasting (I&B) Minister Thakur, along with music maestro A R Rahman, composer Ricky Kej, lyricist and poet Prasoon Joshi, and veteran director Shekhar Kapur, walked red carpet to attend screening of opening film "Coupez" (Final Cut) by French director Michel Hazanavicius.

ten celebrities, who accompanied minister, included musical maestros, renowned filmmakers and actors who represent a kaleidoscope of diversity from various regions, languages, and mainstream and OTT-led cinema. Ambassors from regional cinemas were part of delegation, sending signal to world that India - which boasts of 25 regional film industries - has many different flavours and styles to offer in terms of film production.

R Mhavan, an actor and producer who worked in movies in six different languages, and Telugu superstars Tamannah Bhatia and Pooja Hegde me ir dazzling appearance as part of delegation. Vani Tripathi Tikoo, actress and member of Central Board of Film Certification, was also part of Indian delegation to festival, which is special this year for its celebration of Indian cinema.

India has been named as first-ever official 'country of honour' at Marche du Film, business counterpart of Cannes Film Festival. India is also a ‘country of honour’ at 'Cannes Next', under which five new startups would be given an opportunity to pitch to audio-visual industry. Ten professionals will participate in Animation Day networking. As a major highlight of India's participation in this edition of Cannes Film Festival, World Premiere of movie “Rocketry”, produced by R Mhavan, is scheduled to be showcased at Palais des Festivals on May 19.

Image: Twitter/@ianuragthakur