India Pavilion on the Cannes beach front had a considerable audience including the festival’s Deputy General- Delegate Christian Jeune.
In these days of general elections, it is worth a mention. Like the father transfers his legacy to his son in Indian politics, it is now Abhishek Bachchan who officially seems to have taken over the mantle and goes around inaugurating the events. Whether it is his own command or the one given by his better-half, the darling of the world, Aishwarya Rai is something to be seen.
Thus, Abhishek, much to the applause of the audience, proudly declared open the Indian pavilion at the festival which is yet to see some worthwhile contribution from Indian industry since 2002 or that was what Jeune meant when he referred to dry run at the French Festival.
The crowd was obviously disappointed to notice the absence of Aishwarya who was seen dazzling the previous day with her off-shoulder outfit specially designed for her red-carpet attraction.
Subhash Ghai, Deepti Vaval, Bobby Bedi, Manisha Koirala and NRI Prakash Hinduja, S.M.Khan, the Director of International Film Festival of India, Sushma Singh, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Pyarelal, the Dy Secretary were a few notable ones in the inaugural function apart from the Dy General-Designate Jeune.
All eyes are on Deepti Naval’s handwork, Two Paise for Sunshine, Four Annas for Rain which is expected to be screened here. Manisha Koirala played lead in this film.