Aditi Rao Hydari is giddy with anticipation as she prepares to walk the red carpet at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.
It’s a location where you can be surrounded by the greatest of movies and also “bump into individuals you’ve watched growing up,” according to the Indian actress.
Aditi stated the following with IANS when asked about the benefits of attending a festival like Cannes for an actor: “I think bumping into meeting people who you have watched growing up or even now… Films and filmmakers. It is all about cinema. For me, cinema is like magic to me and I always thought it was beyond my reach. So, I actually feel lucky and blessed to be a part of the Indian film industry.”
This year, the Indian pavilion at Cannes Film Market will screen six films: ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ (Hindi, English, Tamil), ‘Godavari’ (Marathi), ‘Alpha Beta Gamma’ (Hindi), ‘Boomba Ridea (Mishing), ‘Dhuin’ (Maithili), and ‘Niraye Thathakalulla Maram’ (Maithili) (Malayalam).
The ‘Wazir’ actress says she’s excited to see ‘Niraye Thathakalulla Maram,’ a Malayalam film.
“This year in fact, it is special because 75 years of India on 75 years of Cannes and commemorating it by honouring India and Indian film industry and there will be a lot of people there… But Malayalam part of the competiton I am looking forward to watching it… It’s a place where you surround yourself with cinema and best of cinema and people for whom cinema is a passion.
“There it will be cinema time infinity… I think it is great opportunity like that to meet people and watch cinema from the world. I think festival brings the world closer… I feel the world is somewhere coming closer, there is more inclusivity.”
Aditi was supposed to attend the famous ceremony two years ago, but owing to the global epidemic of Covid, everything was put on hold.
“I am nervous because I am not nervous yet… But I am very, very excited and I hope that I can keep that excitement and enjoy the whole process and I hope this time which is so magical and exciting. I was supposed to go the year that lockdown happened. So, now I am going and this is my first time,” she said.
Aditi plans to visit cafes and taste French food in addition to watching movies and walking the red carpet.
“I am actually (looking forward to French food). I love French food. I hope I have time to sit in a cafe and feel French but I don’t know if my schedule will allow me but yeah I am looking forward to that experience.”
“And that’s why I am going on saying you know what you imagine as a kid growing up… I want to experience like that. So, I want to have fun, I want to enjoy it and I want to feel lucky I am there. I don’t want these four days to go under pressure.”
“And I think that’s what makes its so special and of course there is the fashion element as well which all of us stalk non stop but I think primarily films being magical and beyond reach and Cannes is everything that represent that. It is literally the home of cinema.”
“It’s aspirational almost to be there and be a part of the whole festival and I think that magic is something that I am looking forward to. I want to be in front of that blue water on a windy day and experience that French Riviera in all its effortless beauty.”
Aditi is well aware that she would be scrutinised. She, on the other hand, does not allow the pressure dampen her enthusiasm.
“People are going to be very strict and judgemental and they will be watching through a microscope and I understand it. I have a responsibility nd I am going to be watched very closely but at the same time I am telling myself that everybody have to do their job and I have to do mine which is to fulfil my responsibility but also to have fun for myself. That is something I want to do for myself.”
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