Anasuya Sengupta made history on May 24 by becoming the first Indian to win a top acting award at the Cannes Film Festival. Known primarily for her work as a production designer in Mumbai and a resident of Goa, Sengupta received the Best Actress award in the Un Certain Regard segment for her powerful performance in Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov's film, The Shameless. The film also stars well-known actor Mita Vashist and was shot over a month and a half in India and Nepal.
Who Is Anasuya Sengupta? First Indian To Win Top Acting Award At Cannes
Anasuya, a Jadavpur University graduate, began her career as a production designer in Mumbai before transitioning to acting. Her previous credits include Forget Me Not in Netflix's Satyajit Ray anthology and Masaba Masaba. Bojanov, an award-winning director and Facebook friend of Anasuya surprised her by asking for an audition tape out of the blue. This unexpected request marked the beginning of the Jadavpur University graduate's acting career.
Role in The Shameless
In The Shameless, Sengupta plays Renuka, a vagabond seeking refuge in a northern Indian community of sex workers after fleeing Delhi on murder charges. The film's plot revolves around Renuka's illicit love affair with a teenager named Devika, portrayed by Omara Shetty. Devika, initially protected from entering sex work due to her physical ailments, soon faces the harsh realities of her environment.
Film Showcases Indian Talent
Premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov’s The Shameless has garnered attention for its Indian cast, particularly its leading women, Anasuya Sengupta and Omara Shetty. Both actors expressed a mix of excitement and humility as they prepared to represent India at Cannes.
Reflecting on their journey to Cannes, Omara said, "As an actor, I’ve had a different process for every script. It has been daunting, but I believe in Konstantin’s vision. I wanted to be Devika, whether at Cannes or not.”Anasuya added, "I loved the story. I read the character and thought, ‘Oh my God, is someone asking me to play this woman?"
The film’s cosmopolitan production brought together cast and crew from around the world. Anasuya noted, "It pushes people to communicate better. It’s humbling to work in a smaller industry and to be graceful, not brash."
Discussing their characters, Anasuya described Renuka as "a character on the run” and emphasised the importance of strong female roles. Omara reflected on the film’s reception, saying, "It doesn’t matter how the audience will perceive it. It’s a story we all wanted to be part of, and it’s out there for people to see."
Winning Speech
During her emotional acceptance speech, Anasuya dedicated her award to the "queer community and other marginalised communities for bravely fighting a fight they really shouldn't have to." Her voice trembled with emotion, drawing repeated cheers and applause from the audience. She concluded her speech with a powerful statement: "We don't need to be colonised to know how very, very pathetic colonisers are."
The recognition at Cannes marks a significant milestone in Anasuya's career, highlighting her transition from a behind-the-scenes talent to a celebrated actor.
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