Cannes 2023: Union minister Murugan wears ‘Veshti’, with tricolour shirt on red carpet
3 min read . Updated: 17 May 2023, 06:27 AM IST
PremiumThis year, the lineup features Oscar-winning Indian filmmaker Guneet Monga, known for her work on 'The Elephant Whisperers,' as well as Manushi Chillar, the Miss World 2017 winner and prominent Indian actor and model.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, who is currently heading the Indian delegation at this year's Cannes Film Festival, embraced his cultural roots by choosing traditional attire for his appearance on the red carpet on Tuesday.
As per a report by ANI, on the red carpet, Murugan sported a shirt adorned with the national flag on the left side and a G20 logo on the right, while complementing it with a 'Veshti' to proudly showcase his cultural heritage on a global platform.
“The embroidery on the shirt has been done by my local tailor. It makes me immensely proud to wear the tricolour on my chest," Murugan previously told ANI.
“Since we are doing so many events and showcasing our heritage at the G20 year-long plan, it is only fit that we tell the world about it," he added.
Accompanied by renowned figures from the Indian film industry, Murugan graces the red carpet at the French Rivera. Having attended the event the previous year as well, India held the esteemed position of being the Country of Honour.
Similar to the previous year, India's presence on the red carpet continues to shine with the inclusion of esteemed personalities.
This year, the lineup features Oscar-winning Indian filmmaker Guneet Monga, known for her work on 'The Elephant Whisperers,' as well as Manushi Chillar, the Miss World 2017 winner and prominent Indian actor and model. Joining them are Esha Gupta, a celebrated figure in Indian cinema, and Kangabam Tomba, a highly regarded Manipuri actor, all set to make their mark on the red carpet.
Among the official selections at the Cannes Film Festival, four Indian films have secured their spots. Kanu Behl's 'Agra' will mark his second film to have its world premiere at Cannes, this time at the Directors' Fortnight. Behl's debut film, 'Titli', was previously unveiled at the 'Un Certain Regard' section in 2014.
At the Festival de Cannes, Anurag Kashyap's film 'Kennedy' has secured a screening slot in the Midnight Screenings category, while 'Nehemich' will be showcased in the La Cinef section. Additionally, several Indian films are scheduled to be screened in the Marche du Films.
One noteworthy inclusion is the restored Manipuri film titled 'Ishanhou', which will be featured in the 'Classics' section. The film had previously been presented in the festival's 'Un Certain Regard' team back in 1991, and its film reels have been preserved by the National Film Archives of India.
The Manipur State Film Development Society collaborated with the Film Heritage Foundation and Prasad Film Labs to restore the film.
The India Pavilion at this year's Cannes Film Festival will place a special emphasis on India's rich culture and heritage. The Pavilion's theme revolves around the Goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, and has been intricately crafted by the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. With the theme "Showcasing India's Creative Economy," the Pavilion aims to present India's vibrant creative industry to the global community.
The pavilion's design takes inspiration from the Saraswati Yantra, which symbolizes the goddess Saraswati and encompasses her domains of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. Drawing from the vibrant hues of India's national flag - saffron, white, green, and blue - the pavilion showcases a vibrant colour scheme.
The colours of the pavilion hold significant meanings: saffron symbolizes the country's strength and courage, white represents inner peace and truth, green signifies fertility, growth, and the auspiciousness of the land, and blue represents the principles of dharma and truth.
With its abundant talent pool, India offers immense opportunities, and the Indian Pavilion serves as a platform for the Indian film community to engage in various activities such as securing distribution deals, approving scripts for production, establishing collaborations, and networking with influential players in the global entertainment and media industry.
(With inputs from ANI)