In a historic moment for Indian cinema, actor Anasuya Sengupta has bagged the Best Actress award at the Un Certain Regard segment of the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Indian to do so.

What Happened: Sengupta on Friday was honoured for her role in ‘Shameless’, a film directed by Bulgarian filmmaker Constantin Bojanov. The movie showcases the life of an adult entertainment professional who flees from a Delhi brothel after stabbing a policeman.

Sengupta dedicated her award to the queer community and other marginalised groups worldwide, acknowledging their courage in fighting battles they shouldn’t have to.

From Journalism To Acting

Sengupta, who initially dreamt of becoming a journalist, ventured into acting following her time in theatre and as a production designer in Mumbai. She has been associated with significant projects such as Sanjeev Sharma's "Saat Uchakkey" and Srijit Mukherji's "Forget Me Not."

Despite her flourishing career in Mumbai, Sengupta felt restricted and chose to move to Goa. It was here that she met Yashdeep, a naval officer and DJ, online, and fell in love.

Sengupta’s career took a significant turn when she was approached by filmmaker Konstantin Bojanov via a Facebook friend request. He invited her to audition for his film "The Shameless."

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The Road To Cannes

"The Shameless," a noir thriller set against the backdrop of the devdasi system, earned Sengupta the Best Actress award at Cannes 2024. The film, shot in Nepal and Mumbai, is yet to be released in India.

Sengupta dedicated her award to the queer and other marginalized communities worldwide, as reported by Variety.

Sengupta’s win at Cannes is a significant milestone for Indian cinema, highlighting the global recognition of Indian talent. Her journey from a production designer to a Cannes Best Actress winner underscores the diverse paths to success in the film industry.

The film "The Shameless" also sheds light on the lesser-known aspects of Indian society, such as the devadasi system, contributing to the discourse on social issues. Sengupta’s dedication to her award to marginalized communities further amplifies her commitment to social justice, making her win all the more impactful.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Image Credit: Festival de Cannes