Indian Actress Kani Kursuti Sheds Light on Financial Struggles of Indie Filmmakers at Cannes |

The 77th Cannes Film Festivalwhich concluded on May 25, 2024, sparked vibrant discussions on social media, particularly around the significant presence of Indian films and the influx of influencers gracing the red carpet. Among the films celebrated were ‘Shameless,’ ‘All We Imagine As Light,’ and ‘Sister Midnight.’ However, behind the scenes of this international recognition lies a story of struggle and perseverance for indie filmmakersas highlighted by actress Tillotama Shome.
Tillotama Shome recently took to social media to criticize the lack of support for independent films in India. Her poignant post shed light on the financial and logistical hurdles that indie filmmakers face, even when their work achieves international acclaim. She expressed admiration for the women who made it to Cannes, underscoring the hardships they endured to get there. “Ask them and you will weep,” she wrote, emphasizing the often-overlooked struggles behind their glamorous appearances.

In an interview with News18, Malayalam actress Kani Kusrutione of the leads in ‘All We Imagine As Light,’ echoed Tillotama’s sentiments. She acknowledged the critical role of their producers, who managed to pool resources to cover their expenses for attending Cannes. “Since our film was in one of the main categories, they could pool in that money at least to go. But for others, I don’t know how [tough] it is,” Kani remarked, highlighting the broader issue faced by many indie filmmakers.

Kani expressed a desire for a more streamlined support system for indie actors and filmmakers. She pointed out that the producers of independent films often operate on very tight budgets, driven more by passion and vision than financial gain. “Producers of independent films don’t have money. They only see the vision of the director and whatever little money they have, they give it to them to make the film,” she explained.

Kani also highlighted similar sentiments shared by her peers, including Tanmay Dhanania, an actor in ‘Shameless.’ He criticized the misallocation of resources, pointing out that while some celebrities attend the festival with ease, indie filmmakers struggle to gather the necessary funds. This sentiment resonates deeply within the indie film community, where recognition does not always translate into financial support.