Categories: Entertainment

Cannes 2024: Anasuya Sengupta Makes History as First Indian to Win Best Actress Award

While representing India at the very renowned Cannes Film Festival, Anasuya Sengupta has become the first Indian to win the Best Actress award in the Un Certain Regard segment. Sengupta, primarily known for her work as a production designer in Mumbai, claimed the prestigious honor for her powerful performance in Bulgarian director Constantin Bojanov’s film, The Shameless. The film also stars renowned actress Mita Vashist and was shot over a month and a half in India and Nepal.

Sengupta is primarily known for her work as a production designer in Mumbai, stepped into the limelight with this remarkable achievement. Despite having a background in production design, with credits including Srijit Mukherjee’s Forget Me Not from Netflix’s 2021 Satyajit Ray anthology and the popular series Masaba Masaba, she had never pursued acting professionally. Anasuya’s journey to this accolade is as remarkable as it is unconventional. Her unexpected entry into the acting world began when Bojanov, a Facebook friend, requested an audition tape out of the blue. This led to her casting in the role of Renuka, a vagabond seeking refuge in a northern Indian community of sex workers after being accused of murder in Delhi.

The Shameless tells the gripping story of Renuka’s illicit love affair with a teenager named Devika, portrayed by Omara Shetty. Devika, initially sheltered from sex work due to her physical ailments, soon finds herself drawn into the harsh realities of their world. Sengupta’s portrayal of Renuka’s struggles and resilience has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

ALSO READ: Aditi Rao Hydari Dazzles in Black and White Outfit at Cannes 2024

In an emotional acceptance speech, Anasuya dedicated her award to “the queer community and other marginalized communities for so bravely fighting a fight they really shouldn’t have to.” Her voice trembling with emotion, she received repeated cheers and applause, ending with a powerful statement: “We don’t need to be colonized to know how very, very pathetic colonizers are.”

This historic win at Cannes not only marks a significant milestone for Anasuya Sengupta but also brings attention to the diverse and rich talent emerging from India.

Priyanka Koul

Recent Posts

Trump’s Tariffs May Shrink Global Trade By 1% In 2025, Warns WTO

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on Thursday that the organization is closely monitoring the impact…

4 minutes ago

Kamindu Mendis Cancels Honeymoon, Now Shocks KKR By Bowling With Both Arms

The Sri Lankan all-rounder recently tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend, Nishni, but postponed…

25 minutes ago

March Becomes Pakistan’s Deadliest Month In A Decade As Militancy Surges; Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Worst Affected

One of the most shocking incidents occurred on March 11, when BLA militants hijacked the…

30 minutes ago

Kerala Temple Festival Sparks Controversy Over ‘Revolutionary songs’, Singer Faces Charges

Aloshi Adams has been named the first accused in the FIR, with two or more…

47 minutes ago

‘Rafah Is Gone’, Thousands Flee Gaza As Israel Pushes To Expand Security Zone

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 97 Palestinian casualties from Israeli strikes over the past…

50 minutes ago

Nithari Killings Case: Supreme Court Questions Delay, Says ‘No Sanctity To Word Peremptorily’

The Nithari killings came to light on December 29, 2006, when skeletal remains of eight…

1 hour ago