While the world was watching 82 women march on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, our biggest stars who are regulars at the film festival were no where to be seen. But thankfully two Indian women were part of the 82 who walked down the red carpet and stood on the steps at the 71st Cannes festival to protest against gender inequality at the festival and in the film industry. A big shout out to Rasika Duggal and Nandita Das from team Manto who did what was need of the hour.
The #MeToo movement took centre stage at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, 13 May, as Cate Blanchett, Marion Cotillard, Patty Jenkins and other female filmmakers and artists gathered together to agitate for better treatment of women in the movie business.
There were 82 women in total, a reference to the number of female directors who have climbed the steps of the Palais, the festival’s central theater, since Cannes began celebrating celluloid in 1946. In contrast to their 82, 1,866 films directed by men have been picked for the prestigious festival lineup. Blanchett said in a statement, as the women linked their arms in solidarity. The Oscar-winning actress and Cannes jury head was flanked by Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Ava DuVernay, Léa Seydoux, and Salma Hayek. Organisers said the event was orchestrated by the Time's Up movement and the French movement known as 5020x2020 to show "how hard it is still to climb the social and professional ladder" for women. The women made their presence felt and their voices heard.
So, how many of our Indian actors who are regularly seen at Cannes were there? NONE!
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wasn't there, neither was Deepika Padukone. Even Kangana Ranaut who made a splash with her Cannes debut this year... didn't make it to this historic photo op for gender equality on the world stage.
Only two Indian ladies, Nandita Das and Rasika Duggal from team 'Manto' participated in the protest. Did the usual Indian faces who walk the Cannes red carpet give it a miss because the number of participants was fixed at 82? We don't know
But could the ladies at least acknowledge this big moment for gender equality at Cannes?
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just joined Instagram and has more than six lakh followers in less than three days could've spared one post to highlight the cause? Deepika, who has more than 23 million followers on Instagram alone, didn't find it necessary to point out this moving red carpet moment? Kangana, the outspoken one, didn't speak about the historic Cannes red carpet event that really mattered for women?
We're sorry ladies, we expected better from you... and thank you Nandita Das and Rasika Duggal for making us count.
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