Song and dance over Cannes

Indian regional cinema has a strong presence at the film fest this year.

At the Cannes film festival that begins on May 17, the CII-NFDC combine has achieved a first by bringing south-based companies to the Indian Pavilion to showcase regional cinema.

HT Image

AP International, which has overseas rights for over 500 South Indian films, will try to sell the French rights for the Rajnikanth blockbuster Chandramukhi. Hyderabad-based Digiquest will showcase Mani Rathnam’s Lajo and Ravi Verma’s Sunflower.

The effort this year is to promote India as a post-production and shooting destination. Hence, studios and location hunters find place at Cannes. Location provider Kas Moviemakers of Delhi too would be there. There are also individuals like Sunil Darshan who’ll set up their own stalls.

Says Darshan: “Cannes is the place to show that we’re more than just SRK.” Among the marquee names representing Bollywood this year are Ajay Devgan to promote Vishal Bharadwaj’s adaptation of Othello, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and SaReGaMa Pictures.

Though razzmatazz has taken over Cannes, indie cinema is not giving up easily. This year, 35 independent filmmakers have joined hands to sell cinema that they believe is “more than just commercial Bollywood”.