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Shabana Azmi reminisces about captivating the Cannes audience in 1976 while promoting Nishant with Smita Patil.
Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil made a memorable impression at Cannes in sarees while promoting their film Nishant.
In a recent conversation, veteran actress Shabana Azmi recalled the enchanting experience of her first Cannes Film Festival in 1976, where she joined Smita Patil for the premiere of their critically acclaimed film, Nishant. Shabana shared that their unique approach to promoting the film involved walking down the iconic Cannes boulevard dressed in elegant sarees, a decision that turned out to be an ingenious strategy.
“We were meant to have all our promotional materials ready, but to our surprise, they didn’t arrive,” Azmi recounted during an interview with Filmfare. “In Cannes, it’s all about striking visual presence and extravagant promotions. So, Shyam Benegal, who had a background in advertising, suggested, ‘Smita and Shabana, put on your finest Kanjivaram sarees and bindis, and start walking on the boulevard at 9 am.’”
The two actresses embraced this idea wholeheartedly, attracting attention as they strolled through Cannes in their traditional attire. “The moment anyone would glance our way, we’d cheerfully say, ‘Please, humari film hai, aap 6 baje aa jaaiye (please come to watch our film at 6pm),” she laughed. “And just like that, we filled the house! It was incredible!”
Nishant, directed by Shyam Benegal and penned by the esteemed playwright Vijay Tendulkar, premiered in 1975. This socially charged drama featured an outstanding ensemble cast, including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri, Girish Karnad, Mohan Agashe, Anant Nag, and Sadhu Meher. The film delved into the themes of feudal exploitation and social hierarchies in rural India—subjects that resonate with contemporary society.
The film received widespread acclaim and earned the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1977. Nishant was also honored with a selection for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes and received invitations to several other notable film festivals, including the London Film Festival (1976), the Melbourne International Film Festival (1977), and the Chicago International Film Festival (1977).
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