Anasuya Sengupta Wins Best Actress At Cannes: Did You Know The History-Making Indian Was Cast From Facebook?

Through an unexpected Facebook friendship, Anasuya Sengupta has etched her name in history as the first Indian to claim a prominent acting award at the Cannes Film Festival. Best known for her work as a production designer in Mumbai while residing in Goa, she secured the Best Actress accolade in the Un Certain Regard category for her portrayal in "The Shameless," helmed by Bulgarian director Constantin Bojanov. 

Cannes Best Actress Anasuya Sengupta Was Casted From Facebook!

This way! This way! To the left! 📸 Par ici ! De ce côté ! À gauche !
THE SHAMELESS – KONSTANTIN BOJANOV

Avec l’équipe du film / With the film crew

🔎 Anasuya Sengupta, Konstantin Bojanov, Omara Shetty, Rohit Kokate, Kiran Bhivagade, Auroshikha Dey, Mihir, Mita Vashisht, Tanmay… pic.twitter.com/vyjg9PB0Op

— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 17, 2024

Bojanov's request for an audition tape, stemming from their online Facebook connection, served as the catalyst for Anasuya's remarkable journey into the world of acting.

Before this breakthrough, Anasuya had worked as a production designer for projects like Srijit Mukherjee's "Forget Me Not" and "Masaba Masaba."

All About The Storyline Of The Shameless

The storyline of "The Shameless" unfolds against the backdrop of India, possibly Mumbai, and Nepal, featuring two central characters who are Indian. It gets into a daring narrative concerning Indian women, particularly focusing on the circumstances that lead some into the profession of sex work. Interwoven with political themes, the plot centres around two contrasting personalities.

Also Read: Indian Student Wins Top Prize At Cannes For 16-Minute Short Film: Storyline, Director's Prize Money And More

Anusuya's Role In The Shameless

Anusuya Sengupta takes on the role of Renuka, a woman evading the law after being implicated in a murder case in Delhi. Her path crosses with Devika, whose grandmother, portrayed by Mita Vasisht, is revered as a holy figure. Their encounter sparks an immediate connection, setting the stage for a complex exploration of relationships and societal norms.

The film also gets into Renuka's illicit romance with Devika, a young woman portrayed by Omara Shetty, as they navigate the complexities of love, identity, and societal expectations.

Anasuya Sengupta's Winning Speech

Anasuya Sengupta, who grew up in Kolkata and studied at Jadavpur University, has become the first Indian to win the Cannes Best Actor award.

"The Shameless," directed by Konstantin Bojanov, seems like a film mainstream Bollywood wouldn’t dare to finance or act in.

It looks🧵 pic.twitter.com/vsX7Lb3BfR

— Nidheesh M K (@mknid) May 24, 2024

During her acceptance speech at Cannes, Anasuya dedicated her award to the queer and marginalised communities, praising their courage in fighting unjust battles. She concluded her emotional speech by condemning colonialism and highlighting the resilience of those affected by it.

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