Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has shared his candid views on India’s growing fascination with the Cannes Film Festival, stating that conversations around the prestigious event are often dominated by red carpet appearances rather than cinema itself.

Anurag Kashyap says, “In India, the problem and obsession with cannes is only to walk the red carpet”; calls focus on cinema ‘least important’

Speaking to film critic and content creator Sucharita Tyagi at Cannes, Kashyap addressed what he believes is a larger misunderstanding around the purpose of the festival, especially in India. According to the filmmaker, public discourse around Cannes tends to focus excessively on fashion and celebrity visibility instead of filmmaking and global storytelling. “In India, the problem and obsession with Cannes is only to walk the red carpet. They don’t understand there’s a festival and the purpose of it is beyond the red carpet,” Kashyap said.

The filmmaker, who has been associated with international film festivals through several of his projects, further dismissed the idea that walking the red carpet is central to the Cannes experience. Talking about his own approach, he remarked, “No, we just move away from the side”.

Elaborating on what he considers more important at Cannes, Kashyap stressed that the festival should primarily be viewed as a platform for cinema, discovery, and international collaborations. “The thing is, that’s the least important part of it. What is more important is the cinema and I don’t think people even come here for cinema. Even all the Indian people who are coming to the market are not watching films. Very rarely I see someone,” he stated.

Kashyap also touched upon structural issues within the Indian film ecosystem, particularly the hesitation producers have towards film festivals and the lack of awareness around submission timelines and opportunities. According to him, misinformation and delays often result in Indian films missing valuable opportunities to showcase themselves on global platforms. “There’s a lot of misinformation in India and the producers fear festivals. So what happens is, they’re never in time, they’re delayed and even if the film had a chance to showcase itself at any of the categories, they lose that chance because they’re never in time”, he added.

The filmmaker’s comments have sparked discussion online, particularly amid the annual buzz surrounding Indian celebrity appearances at Cannes. While the red carpet continues to remain a major talking point each year, Kashyap’s remarks underline a broader conversation around cinema, festival participation, and India’s engagement with international film platforms beyond fashion and glamour.

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