In a remarkable achievement, Anasuya Sengupta, the lead actress of the Hindi-language film The Shameless, directed by Bulgarian filmmaker Konstantin Bojanov, has won the Best Actress award in the Un Certain Regard category at the prestigious 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Sengupta, hailing from Kolkata, is the first Indian artist to receive this top acting honor, marking a significant milestone for India at the renowned film gala.
In her acceptance speech on Friday night, Sengupta dedicated the award to the queer community and other marginalized communities around the world who are bravely fighting for their rights. She emphasized that one doesn’t have to be queer or colonized to recognize the importance of equality and decency, urging everyone to be “very, very decent human beings.”
The Shameless, which had its world premiere at Cannes on May 17, tells the story of two sex workers navigating the disturbing world of exploitation and misery. Sengupta portrays the central character of Renuka, who escapes from a Delhi brothel after a violent incident and seeks refuge in a community of sex workers in northern India, where she meets Devika (Omara), a young girl destined for a life of prostitution.
Upon her return to India on Sunday, Sengupta spoke to ANI, expressing her joy at winning the award and her desire to rest for a couple of days before returning to work. She expressed gratitude to everyone who supported and believed in her.
British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s film Santosh was also part of the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes 2024 but did not receive any awards.
Anasuya Sengupta’s historic win at Cannes 2024 not only celebrates her exceptional performance but also shines a light on the talent and potential of Indian artists on the global stage. Her dedication to the queer community and marginalized groups underscores the power of cinema to amplify voices and promote social change.
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