Veteran actor and filmmaker Boman Irani recently shared his thoughts on the glitz, glamour, and the true essence of the Cannes Film Festival, urging that the spotlight must shine brighter on cinematic achievements than on red carpet appearances. The 65-year-old actor attended the prestigious event last month for the screening of Anupam Kher’s directorial debut, Tanvi The Great, at the Marche du Film.
Boman Irani says, “Popularity of the red carpet should not overshadow the artistic contributions”; applauds Payal Kapadia and Neeraj Ghaywan
In an interview with PTI, Irani said that while he appreciates the celebratory spirit of Cannes, the real heroes are the filmmakers making waves on a global stage. “There is nothing wrong with the red carpet or the glamour. But the cinematic side needs to be represented more strongly. I saw a photograph of Payal (Kapadia) and Neeraj Ghaywan together — to me, that’s the festival,” he said.
“Payal and Neeraj Are the Real Story”
Both Kapadia and Ghaywan have become symbols of modern Indian cinema’s global appeal. Kapadia, who created history in 2024 by winning the Grand Prix—the second-highest honour at Cannes—for her debut feature All We Imagine As Light, returned this year as a member of the main competition jury.
Meanwhile, Neeraj Ghaywan’s second feature, Homebound, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section and received a nine-minute standing ovation, further cementing his international acclaim. He first garnered attention with Masaan, which premiered at Cannes in 2015.
Irani acknowledged the shift in public recognition for such filmmakers. “If Payal had gone there 15 years ago and won, it would’ve probably been just a small article in a newspaper. Today, Payal is a household name. So is Neeraj. It’s beautiful to see them walk the red carpet with such aplomb,” he said.
Boman Irani on Red Carpet vs. Real Cinema
Addressing the growing focus on influencers and celebrity appearances at Cannes, Irani clarified that he harbours no resentment towards those who don’t come from a cinematic background. “To each his own,” he stated. “As long as the festival is gaining from their presence, it’s okay. But the popularity of the red carpet should not overshadow the artistic contributions.”
He stated the importance of maintaining balance at a time when viral fashion moments often steal the limelight from thought-provoking films. “People who love cinema will find inspiration in what Payal and Neeraj have done. That’s what matters,” he added.
While at Cannes, Irani also attended the screening of Spike Lee’s latest film Highest 2 Lowest, calling the experience “beautiful.” He praised the atmosphere at the festival, noting how stars like Denzel Washington were casually engaging with other attendees. “It’s so wonderful to see humble people talking about their movies and sharing their passion for cinema,” he said.
On the work front, Boman Irani is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Detective Sherdill, starring Diljit Dosanjh, which premieres on ZEE5 on June 20. Produced by Ali Abbas Zafar and Himanshu Mehra, and directed by debutant Ravi Chhabriya, the mystery thriller also features Diana Penty, Banita Sandhu, Sumeet Vyas, and Chunky Pandey.
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.