What happens when Indian cinema, with the very depth of its soul, packs bags to Cannes? A whole empire of stories, raw, rooted, and radiant, unfolds on the world’s most glamorous red carpet! This year, Indian filmmakers didn’t just knock at the door of Cannes; they stormed in with films, laughing, crying, resisting, and singing. Even if only one stands as an official selection, others are being screened and guess what? No less noise! Here’s the full glittering list:
1. Homebound – Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan
- Language: Hindi/English
- Section: Official Selection (Un Certain Regard)
This is one real deal! Ghaywan, famous for Masaan and Geeli Pucchi, brings us a heart-thumping tale of belonging, identity, and personal revolutions. Bold and poetic, it’s the first Indian film to be officially selected in 2025! Also, it stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor—the beauty!
2. Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest) – Directed by Satyajit Ray
- Language: Bengali
Cannes Restored Screening for Ray’s classic, truly vintage wine in a fine glass! Watching four friends traverse a jungle of emotions is still so relevant, so it might just give a philosophical chill to today’s audience. Satyajit Ray at Cannes? Means the moon is attending another celebratory party lit by the sun!
3. Tanvi The Great – Directed by Anupam Kher
- Language: Hindi
A journey of emotion according to the movie which opens with a much-aspiring girl who carries a bigger heart and a demonstration that reminds us that hope is in and never out of fashion. It is screening at the prestigious Marché du Film! Plus points: This movie would mark Anupam Kher’s directorial assignment – Slayed!
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4. A Doll Made Up of Clay – Directed by Kokob Tesfay (India-Ethiopia Collab)
- Language: Multilingual
A boundary-crossing treasure, negotiating a young player’s struggle and identity through folklore. Earthy and ethereal, a doll with a heartbeat. By the way: It’s partially shot in India, and has an Indian debutante in the cast!
5. The Second Wind – Directed by Indira Baikerikar
- Language: English
Another Lady Marvel! The tale of a woman reclaiming her life at a not-so-young age, after decades of silence, powerful poetic magic on the Cannes Screen. Feminist cinema served with a tender realism-hectic!
6. Sthal – Directed by Jayant Digambar Somalkar
- Language: Marathi
This new slice-of-life drama lifts, nudging flames against the age-old practice of arranged marriage. It was already acclaimed at TIFF and now at Cannes. Visibly, almost every small-town girl, so real and raw!
7. Khalid Ka Shivaji – Directed by Raj Pritam More
- Language: Marathi
A sharp take on identity politics and historical pride through a young Muslim boy’s lens. Bold, brainy, and perhaps surely tinder of table talks at dinner!
8. Snow Flower – Directed by Gajendra Ahire
- Language: Marathi
A visually poetic story of love and loss. Think snow in Maharashtra? Think again. This one’s definitely for the arthouse lovers out there!
Conclusion:
Like a spice table, Indian films at Cannes 2025 will bring sweet, sour, fiery, and fragrant flavors to the global platter. Each may be draped in different languages, but they’re speaking cinema. A parade of the heart and now-soulful sandals and stardust! And guess what? India’s presence is more than mere language; it’s layered. Bengali, Marathi, Hindi, and multicultural narratives have all become movements in the world.
Written By MANSI SINGH