Aditi Rao Hydari is overjoyed as she prepares to make her red carpet debut at the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival. According to the actress, it is a place where one can “bump into people who you have watched growing up” as well as “surround themselves with the best of cinema.”
When asked about the benefits of attending a festival like Cannes for an actor, a delighted Aditi shared: “I think bumping into meeting people who you have watched growing up or even now… Films and filmmakers. It is all about cinema. For me, cinema is like magic to me and I always thought it was beyond my reach. So, I actually feel lucky and blessed to be a part of the Indian film industry.”
The Indian pavilion at the Cannes Film Market will present six films at the festival this year- Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (Hindi, English, Tamil), Godavari (Marathi), Alpha Beta Gamma (Hindi), Boomba Ridea (Mishing), Dhuin (Maithili) and Niraye Thathakalulla Maram (Malayalam).
The Wazir actress says she’s excited to see the Malayalam film Niraye Thathakalulla Maram. “This year in fact, it is special because 75 years of India on 75 years of Cannes and commemorating it by honouring India and Indian film industry and there will be a lot of people there… But Malayalam part of the competition I am looking forward to watching… It’s a place where you surround yourself with cinema and the best of cinema and people for whom cinema is a passion,” she said.
Aditi was supposed to attend the prestigious ceremony two years ago on the invitation of a make-up brand, but everything was put on hold due to the global Covid outbreak.
“I am nervous because I am not nervous yet… But I am very, very excited and I hope that I can keep that excitement and enjoy the whole process. I hope this time which is so magical and exciting. I was supposed to go the year that the lockdown happened. So, now I am going and this is my first time,” she stated.
Aditi hopes to visit cafes and try French food in addition to watching movies and walking the red carpet. “I am actually (looking forward to French food). I love French food. I hope I have time to sit in a cafe and feel French but I don’t know if my schedule will allow me but yeah I am looking forward to that experience.”
Aditi is aware that she will be scrutinised. However, she does not let the pressure dampen her enthusiasm. “People are going to be very strict and judgemental and they will be watching through a microscope and I understand it. I have a responsibility and I am going to be watched very closely but at the same time I am telling myself that everybody have to do their job and I have to do mine which is to fulfil my responsibility but also to have fun for myself. That is something I want to do for myself,” she concluded.