In a huge boost to Indian cinema, debutant director Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan won the prestigious critics prize in the Un Certain Regard category, which runs parallel to the competition for the main prize, Palme d’Or, at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) announced late on Saturday.
Masaan, a joint production of Manish Mundra, Macassar Productions, Arte France Cinema, Sikhya Entertainment & Phantom Films, stars newcomers like Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi, along with Sanjay Mishra and Richa Chadda. It received a five-minute standing ovation at the festival where it premiered on May 20.
Hungarian film Son of Saul by László Nemes won the critics prize in Official Competition, and Paulina Paulina won the prize in Parallel Sections, a FIPRESCI release said. Indian film critic Borborah Bitopan from The Assam Tribune was part of the FIPRESCI jury this year.
Masaan’s narrative is set in Varanasi and its characters connected with the Ganga. Ghaywan worked as assistant director to Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur, which received acclaim at Cannes in 2012, finding new markets for younger film-makers.
#MASAAN just won the FIPRESCI award for UN CERTAIN REGARD at @Festival_Cannes!!!!! This was long due for India!!!
— Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) May 23, 2015
Hey #Bollywood, all who wore gowns, partied, did you see @ghaywan‘s #Masaan? It’s an #Indian film btw & it just won two awards. #Cannes
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) May 24, 2015
The most amazing feeling… #masaan wins 2 awards at #cannes2015 !! Thank you 🙂 🙂 @ghaywan @ManMundra !!! https://t.co/zagH4h59eX
— Guneet Monga (@guneetm) May 24, 2015
एक से भले दो। जय हो! “@ghaywan: 2nd award for India!! #MASAAN MOST PROMISING NEW COMER. pic.twitter.com/3gpODHGaoF”
— वरुण (@varungrover) May 23, 2015
Thrilled to see #Masaan win 2 prizes at #Cannes2015! Now for the challenge: getting it to halls in India. @ghaywan @RichaChadha_
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) May 23, 2015
