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Cannes 2022 - Deepika hopes focus is more on Indian cinema than fashion

Cannes 2022 - Deepika hopes focus is more on Indian cinema than fashion
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New Delhi: Being a member of the Cannes Film Festival jury is a personal triumph but also a victory for the South Asian community and recognition of India and its values, says Deepika Padukone, the first Indian since Vidya Balan in 2013 to be chosen for the honour.

Padukone, part of the eight-member Cannes Competition jury at the festival that runs from May 17 to 28, is also hoping the discussion in the media this time will be more about the celebration of Indian talent and cinema and less on fashion.

Balan's fashion choices had come under intense scrutiny when she was part of the jury, which will reward one of the 21 films in competition with the Palme d'Or during the closing ceremony of the festival.

"I hope we realise that there is so much more. Of course, fashion is fun, it should be fun. And it's also a very personal thing. But I hope that Indian media has learned from that last experience and realises that we have the power to actually change that narrative and talk about what a big moment this is for India," Padukone told PTI in an online interview ahead of the festival.

"I don't think it deserves pages and pages of news. I think what we should be talking about is the celebration of India. The celebration of Indian talent and cinema," she added.

The star of films such as 'Piku' and 'Padmaavat' will be sitting on the jury along with French actor Vincent Lindon, the president, as well as English actor-filmmaker Rebecca Hall, Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, Swedish actor Noomi Rapace, Italian actor-director Jasmine Trinca, French filmmaker-actor Ladj Ly, American filmmaker Jeff Nichols and director-screenwriter Joachim Trier from Norway.

Padukone said she is curious about the two weeks she will spend watching films and interacting with fellow jury members.

"While it does feel like a personal victory, it also feels like a slightly larger victory for the South Asian community We can literally count on our fingertips the number of times anyone from India has been on the jury or has had the opportunity to represent the country at a platform such as this," the actor said.

"To see India being recognised at a global level at a platform like this, I think it says a lot about where we are as a nation and the road ahead for us as a nation," the 'Gehraiyaan' actor added.

This is not the first time she is part of the festival. Her previous engagements were brand-related and red-carpet events.

Those from India who have been a part of the Cannes jury include the late Mrinal Sen (1982), director Mira Nair (1990), author Arundhati Roy (2000), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (2003), Nandita Das (2005), Sharmila Tagore (2009), Shekhar Kapur (2010) and Vidya Balan (2013).

Padukone said she is grateful for the opportunity and is looking forward to the experience.

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