Anasuya Sengupta Best Actress Cannes : Calcutta-born actress Anasuya Sengupta made history by winning the Best Actress Award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Indian to achieve this honour in the festival’s Un Certain Regard segment. The award was announced on Friday, marking a significant milestone for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Historic Win: Anasuya Sengupta Becomes First Indian to Clinch Best Actress at Cannes!
A Milestone Achievement
Anasuya Sengupta’s accolade is a testament to her exceptional talent and the increasing recognition of Indian cinema. The Un Certain Regard segment runs parallel to the main competition and focuses on showcasing new trends, innovative storytelling, and films from diverse countries.
Her Role in “The Shameless”
Sengupta was honoured for her compelling performance in Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov’s Hindi-language film, “The Shameless.” The film delves into the harrowing lives of two sex workers in India and their quest for freedom and dignity. Sengupta’s portrayal of Renuka, a woman who escapes a life of exploitation in a Delhi brothel, has been lauded for its depth and emotional intensity.
Acceptance Speech: A Tribute to the Marginalised
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Sengupta dedicated her award to the queer community and other marginalised groups who bravely fight for their rights. “You don’t have to be queer to fight for equality, you don’t have to be colonised to know that colonising is pathetic — we just need to be very, very decent human beings,” she said, highlighting the importance of empathy and solidarity.
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Plot of “The Shameless”
“The Shameless” premiered at Cannes on May 17 and received critical acclaim for its raw and unflinching portrayal of exploitation. The story revolves around Renuka, played by Sengupta, who flees from a brothel after killing a policeman. She finds refuge in a community of sex workers in northern India, where she meets Devika (played by Omara), a young girl on the brink of being forced into prostitution. The film explores their bond and their struggle to escape their grim realities.
Key Cast Members
The film also features powerful performances by Mita Vashisht, Tanmay Dhanania, Rohit Kokate, and Auroshikha Dey. Each actor brings depth to the story, enhancing the film’s emotional and social impact.
Other Highlights from Un Certain Regard
The Un Certain Regard segment had other notable entries, including British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s “Santosh,” which, despite not winning, received significant attention. The top prize in this segment went to “Black Dog” by Chinese filmmaker Gou Zhen, while the Jury Prize was awarded to French director Boris Lojkine’s “L’Histoire de Souleymane.”
Best Director and Other Awards
The best director award was jointly shared by Roberto Minervini for “The Damned” and Rungano Nyoni for “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.” Tawfik Alzaidi from Saudi Arabia received a Special Mention for “Norah,” his debut feature film, and Louise Courvoisier won the Youth Award for “Holy Cow.”
Jury Panel
The Un Certain Regard jury was chaired by Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan, with other members including French-Senegalese director Maïmouna Doucouré, Moroccan director Asmae El Moudir, German-Luxembourg actor Vicky Krieps, and American writer Todd McCarthy.
Conclusion of the Festival
The 2024 Cannes Film Festival concludes on Saturday, celebrating a diverse array of films and talents from around the world. Anasuya Sengupta’s historic win not only brings pride to India but also underscores the festival’s commitment to recognizing and promoting diverse voices in cinema.
FAQs about Anasuya Sengupta’s Historic Win at Cannes
1. Who is Anasuya Sengupta?
- Anasuya Sengupta is an Indian actress and production designer primarily based in Mumbai and Goa. She has gained international recognition for her exceptional acting skills.
2. What award did Anasuya Sengupta win at Cannes?
- Anasuya Sengupta won the Best Actress Award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard segment.
3. Why is Anasuya Sengupta’s win significant?
- Her win is significant because she is the first Indian actor to receive a top acting award in the Un Certain Regard segment at Cannes, marking a milestone for Indian cinema.
4. What film did Anasuya Sengupta win the award for?
- She won the award for her role in the Hindi-language film “The Shameless,” directed by Bulgarian filmmaker Konstantin Bojanov.
5. What is “The Shameless” about?
- “The Shameless” explores the lives of two sex workers in India who form a bond while trying to escape their dire circumstances.
6. Who does Anasuya Sengupta portray in “The Shameless”?
- She plays Renuka, a woman who escapes from a Delhi brothel and takes refuge in a community of sex workers in northern India.
7. Who are the other main actors in “The Shameless”?
- The film features performances by Mita Vashisht, Tanmay Dhanania, Rohit Kokate, and Auroshikha Dey.
8. What did Anasuya Sengupta say in her acceptance speech?
- In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to the queer community and other marginalized groups, emphasizing the importance of fighting for equality and being decent human beings.
9. What is the Un Certain Regard segment at Cannes?
- Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival that runs parallel to the main competition, showcasing new trends, innovative storytelling, and films from diverse countries.
10. Which other films were notable in the Un Certain Regard segment this year?
- Notable films included “Santosh” by Sandhya Suri, “Black Dog” by Gou Zhen, and “L’Histoire de Souleymane” by Boris Lojkine.
11. Who chaired the Un Certain Regard jury this year?
- The jury was chaired by Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan, with members including Maïmouna Doucouré, Asmae El Moudir, Vicky Krieps, and Todd McCarthy.
12. What other awards were given in the Un Certain Regard segment?
- “Black Dog” won the top prize, “L’Histoire de Souleymane” received the Jury Prize, and best actor went to Abou Sangre for “L’Histoire de Souleymane.”
13. Who shared the Best Director award in Un Certain Regard?
- Roberto Minervini for “The Damned” and Rungano Nyoni for “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” shared the Best Director award.
14. What is significant about “The Shameless” premiere?
- “The Shameless” had its premiere at Cannes on May 17, receiving critical acclaim for its raw and unflinching portrayal of exploitation.
15. How did Anasuya Sengupta’s background contribute to her win?
- Her extensive experience as a production designer and her dedication to acting likely contributed to her nuanced performance in “The Shameless.”
16. Where does Anasuya Sengupta live and work?
- She primarily works in Mumbai and resides in Goa, balancing her roles in the film industry.
17. What message did Sengupta convey with her win?
- She conveyed a message of empathy and solidarity, urging people to support marginalized communities and fight for equality.
18. How did the audience react to “The Shameless” at Cannes?
- The film received critical acclaim and positive reactions from audiences for its powerful storytelling and performances.
19. What does Sengupta’s win mean for Indian cinema?
- Her win highlights the growing recognition of Indian talent on international platforms and encourages more diverse and powerful storytelling from India.
20. What are Anasuya Sengupta’s future projects?
- While specific future projects have not been detailed, her win at Cannes is expected to open more opportunities for significant roles in international and Indian cinema.
