Actress
Chhaya Kadam
recently made her
debut
at the
Cannes Film Festival
where she is attending the
screening
of her film
All We Imagine As Light
. The film created history, being the first time in 30 years that an
Indian film
has played in Cannes’ main competition section. Not just that, the leading ladies grabbed eyeballs for dancing their way in, rather than the usual posing for the paparazzi.
Speaking to us, the actress shared her excitement saying, “I’m overjoyed that I’ve been working for so many years but this year is special with the kind of recognition my work is getting.
I have another film Sister Midnight being screened at Cannes as well. This year I’ve had releases like
Madgaon Express
and Laapataa Ladies as well, infact people ask me if I planned it in a way that I’m in the news through the year but it just worked out that way. All We Imagine As Light got a eight minute standing ovation and my heart is full.”
Recalling the time the cast decided to make their entry while dancing, the actress says it was totally unplanned. “We had these huge black cars that came to pick us up, a luxury we aren’t used to, so my heart was pounding throughout the journey. When we were entering someone played a Marathi song and I was so happy hearing a familiar tune abroad. Others were posing on the red carpet and we just did an impromptu dance.”
The actress adds that she started her career in films at ‘the late age of 28’ but today she is glad that people recognise her work. “Acting is the only thing I know. At Cannes, I’ve been watching people wearing huge gowns with two-three people just to handle the outfit. Hum unke beech mein gareeb bechare. My suitcase got stuffed with just two-three outfits and I wonder how they manage. Infact it’s only on my friend’s insistence that I brought a stylist along, she has put together a few looks other than that I wear my own outfits. I’m proud that we are at the festival to promote our art and not
fashion
.”
While 2024 has been an incredible year for her, Chhaya also believes that it’s because of her mother’s blessings who she lost in August last year. “My mother was my only family so my friends were worried about how I would manage. I put out a post after two-three months that she is still with me and I haven’t lost her. Infact wearing her nose ring and sari at Cannes, was a tribute.”
