‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ fame Deepti Sadhwani made her debut at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Taking place from May 14 to 25, the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival promises to be a celebration of diversity and self-expression, with the theme ‘Many Ways To Be An Icon’. With her debut at Cannes 2024, Deepti steps onto the global stage, poised to leave a lasting impression and pave the way for a new generation of Indian talent. Deepti graced the red carpet, as she attended the premiere of the feature film Le Deuxième Acte.
Sharing pictures from the event on her Instagram handle, Deepti wrote, “Honoured to be walking the red carpet for the Opening ceremony of 77th Cannes Film Festival with the record-breaking longest trail of gown.”
In a conversation with ABP Live, Deepti shared her experience at the Cannes Film Festival, her preparation and much more.
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Here Are Some Excerpts From The Interview:
- How did it feel to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the first time, and how did you prepare for this significant moment?
The feeling of walking down the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival was breathtaking. I mean, it’s difficult to express in words, but I had jitters in my legs and an anxiety rush in my body when my car was next to stop at the entrance, and when I had to walk down the red carpet. But once I was there, it was like, yeah, it’s just there.
Instead of Indian paps, there are international paps over there. So, it was the very moment that I had been waiting for, for years. And I had dreamt of it since I first saw Aishwarya Rai in 2002 on the red carpet in a yellow saree promoting ‘Devdas’.
But, when I say that I prepared, I prepared for one year as last year I was almost there, but for some reason I couldn’t reach there. After that, for one year, I dedicatedly prepared for Cannes actually, and here I am.
- What message or statement did you want to convey with your appearance at Cannes, and how do you think it resonated with the international audience?
So, the message that I wanted to convey on the Cannes Red Carpet was definitely that India is shining brightly and making its mark. Indian cinema is being recognised at various international platforms, including Cannes. We have Indian films being showcased at Cannes, Indian celebrities serving as jury members, such as Deepika Padukone last year, and Indian celebrities representing brands at the festival. So, I just want to convey the message that yes, we Indians are right there, shining and excelling.
- Can you share any memorable interactions or experiences you had during the opening ceremony of Cannes 2024?
Well, a memorable experience was with the people there, the photographers, and those who wait for you outside the red carpet. They show so much love that you don’t feel like you’re in a different country. Even people at the Martinus, they also show a lot of love, wanting to take your picture. If they know your name, they shout it out and want to take pictures with you. It makes you feel wanted and gives you a boost of energy, knowing that you have to give your best on the red carpet because these people are showing you so much love.
- What are your thoughts on the theme ‘Many Ways To Be An Icon’ for this year’s festival, and how do you see it reflecting in your own journey and experiences?
Well, the theme ‘Many Ways to be an Icon’ means to me any person who is widely liked, admired, followed, and has influence on few or many people in whatever way possible, in whatever sphere of life. It’s not necessarily about acting because there are people from different spheres of cinema at this prestigious event, whether you’re into direction, acting, writing, screenplay- all are represented here. So, I completely believe that being an icon in any possible way means if you can make an influence and make a little difference in anybody’s life. And yes, I do feel that I resonate with the theme, and I have and will continue to try to make a difference in people’s lives.
