Indian cinema has learned the art of hitting the right chords and delivering what the audience is desiring to watch. This art has not just entertained the audience but also managed to impress the international film critics. Several International prestigious platforms have time and again awarded the cinema for its epic storytelling. And the Cannes film festival is one of those. Over the year, Cannes has spotted the light on Indian cinema and awarded for its contribution to global cinema. As the cinema lovers set their seats for the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, here we bring you the top 9 Indian films that won big at the Cannes Film festival:
1. Lunchbox: Lunchbox is one of the cult classics produced in Indian cinema. Starring Irfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Nimrat Kaur in lead, the movie was screened at Cannes Film Festival back in 2013 and later bagged the Critics Week Viewers Choice Award also known as Grand Rail d'Or.
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2. A Night of Knowing Nothing: Known as the underrated gem of the nation, A Night of Knowing Nothing is the story of a girl studying at University who writes letters to her estranged lover who lives far away from her. The film won the Oeil d'Or (GoldenEye) award for best documentary at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.
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3. Salaam Bombay: One of the highly applauded movies of the Indian cinema, Salaam Bombay stole the limelight at the Cannes Film Festival in 1988. Starring Shafiq Syed, Raghuvir Yadav, Late Irrfan Khan, Anita Kanwar, Nana Patekar, clinched the Camera d’Or and the Audience Prize at the Cannes.
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4. Pather Panchali: A gem from the direction of ace Indian director Satyajit Ray, Pather Panchali is the depiction of poverty in Bengal during the early freedom time. Considered to be the golden work of Ray, the drama won the Palme d’Or for Best Human Document.
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5. Neecha Nagar: Based on the short film with the same name, the movie portrayed the major difference between the rich and poor classes of Indian society. Helmed by Chetan Anand, the movie bagged the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film (now called Palme d’Or).
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6. Do Bigha Zameen: Starring Balraj Sahani and Nirupa Roy in lead, the story of Do Bigha Zameen is going to be recited over and over again for a hundred of years. Do Bigha Zameen win the illustrious Prix Internationale at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954?
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7. Boot Polish: Directed by Prakash Arora and produced by Raj Kapoor, Boot Polish is a heart-wrenching story of two siblings who are forced to beg by their cruel aunt. However, the two kids choose to work hard and earn money by polishing shoes. The film won hearts at the Cannes Film Festival and child actress Naaz was honored with a Special Distinction Award for her performance in the film.
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8. Kharij: Based on a novel by Ramapada Chowdhury, Kharij revolves around the accidental death of an underage servant and the impact it leaves on the lives of those who had hired him. Helmed by Mrinal Sen, Kharij won the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983.
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9. Marana Simhasanam: A film by Murali Nair, Marana Simhasanam tells the story of the first execution by electrocution in India. Starring Vishwas Njavakkal, Lakshmi Raman, Suhas Thayat, and Jeevan Mitzva in key roles, the film walked away with the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999.
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