Last Updated:May 16, 2026, 10:39 IST
Anurag Kashyap said red carpet appearances are the “least important” part of Cannes Film Festival, but in India the obsession is only with walking the red carpet, not cinema.
Anurag Kashyap said red carpet appearances are the “least important” part of Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival continues to be a major global event each year, drawing attention not only for the films showcased but also for the strong presence of Indian celebrities on the red carpet. But filmmaker Anurag Kashyap feels that in India, the focus has drifted away from what the festival is really about. He said that red carpet appearances and fashion are the ‘least important’ part of the film festival, yet in India, the obsession is only with walking the red carpet, rather than cinema.
Anurag Kashyap On Red Carpet Appearances At Cannes
Anurag Kashyap has expressed disappointment that the true purpose of the festival is being overshadowed by glamour and celebrity appearances. Speaking in an interview with Sucharita Tyagi, Kashyap said that many Indian celebrities and filmmakers appear to treat Cannes primarily as a red-carpet event, while overlooking its larger focus on cinema, screenings, and global film culture.
“In India, the problem and obsession with Cannes is only to walk the red carpet. They don’t understand that there is a festival, and the purpose of it is beyond the red carpet,” he said.
He also pointed out that he prefers to stay away from the spotlight at such events, noting that he usually enters screenings quietly rather than making red-carpet appearances. When asked about how nobody knows Anurag was present on the opening day, he replied, “Hum log side se chale jaate hain. (We head inside from the side).”
Cinema Is More Important, Says Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap further added that the red carpet is the least significant aspect of Cannes, and that the real importance of the festival lies in watching films and engaging with cinema from around the world. He also stated that many Indian delegates attending the festival’s market section are not actively participating in film viewings.
“What is more important is the cinema, and I don’t think people even come here for cinema. Even all the Indian people who are coming to the market are not watching films. Very rarely I see someone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indian celebrities continued to make notable appearances on the red carpet, with stars such as Alia Bhatt, Urvashi Rautela, and Tara Sutaria drawing attention for their fashion statements.
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