As the glitz and glamour of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival fast approach, the Un Certain Regard section welcomes a narrative embodying powerful Indian femininity with the film “The Shameless” by Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov. The buzz around the film intensifies with the anticipation of leading Indian actresses Omara Shetty and Anasuya Sengupta taking the French Riviera by storm, as they gear up to represent their country on this prestigious international stage.
Omara Shetty hails from Thane, with a heritage that runs through Mangalore to Mumbai. Her initial foray into journalism took a fortuitous detour when fate led her into the arms of the performing arts. Contrastingly, Anasuya Sengupta’s roots are entrenched in the literary heartland of Calcutta, with a natural progression into filmmaking.
The pair’s compelling transformation into the characters they play on-screen is a result of their individual artistic journeys. While Omara’s persistence through health struggles and her discovery of innovative theatrical expression shaped her acting technique, Anasuya’s background in production design and illustration infused depth into her portrayal of complex characters.
Their latest venture, “The Shameless,” is set against the backdrop of Kathmandu, and tells the poignant tale of Renuka, a character played by Anasuya who flees a brothel, finding solace amongst a community of sex workers. It is here she encounters Devika, played by Omara, a young girl condemned to prostitution. This compelling narrative exudes the actors’ shared belief in the film’s directorial vision. Their excitement about taking the story to Cannes is palpable yet grounded in the authenticity of their roles, rather than the glamour of the festival.
Omara, who has shaped her approach to each script through unique processes, immediately connected with the character of Devika. For her, the role was a narrative she yearned to embody, irrespective of the film’s journey to Cannes. Similarly, Anasuya was deeply drawn to her character’s strength and complexity, welcoming the challenge to portray a role that contrasts sharply with conventional feminine archetypes.
The film engendered a powerful off-screen bond between the actresses, attributed to their diverse personalities and a dynamic evolving from intensive workshops. Even in scenes of intimacy, the presence of an intimacy coordinator ensured both comfort and the organic development of on-screen chemistry.
As they reflected on the project, both actresses shared insightful anecdotes from the bustling streets of Kathmandu, where the city’s density and vibrancy fed into the film’s sense of urgency and tension. Moreover, Omara’s conversations with her character’s development revealed an intrinsic rebellion against societal norms, an essence captured aptly by the film’s title.
For the actresses, the concept of shame within the film and society serves as a catalyst for growth and fearlessness. This emotion, heavily woven into the fabric of societal expectations, manifests within their characters as a blockade to be shattered. In doing so, they uncover a newfound liberty in defiance of cultural constraints.
Indeed, both Omara and Anasuya stand on the precipice of a defining moment as they await the festival. They grapple with a mix of gratefulness and pride, reflecting on the hard work that has gone into the production. With wisdom gleaned from seasoned actors like Robert De Niro, they attempt to maintain composure amidst the excitement that comes with participating in such a celebrated event.
“The Shameless” is more than a film – it’s a statement that Omara and Anasuya are immensely proud to share with the world via Cannes’ Un Certain Regard at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival which takes place from May 14-25, 2024. Their path to the festival is a testament to Indian cinema’s growing influence on the world stage, as audiences eagerly await to witness these powerful Indian women carry their stories beyond national borders and into the heart of international filmmaking.
