Daijiworld Media Network - Cannes
Cannes, May 19: Actor Priyanka Upendra has said that her journey to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival feels surreal, recalling how her fascination with the global film event began with Satyajit Ray’s iconic film Pather Panchali gaining recognition there decades ago.
“Like every Bengali, my association with Cannes began with Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali making its mark at the festival. Little did I imagine that decades later, I would be walking those hallowed corridors myself,” Priyanka said.
The actor is currently at the French Riviera for the screening of her film September 21 in the Marche du Film (Film Market) section of the festival. The film is directed by Karen Kshiti Survarna.
Speaking about the film, Priyanka said it focuses on caregiving for Alzheimer’s patients and highlights the emotional struggles faced by caregivers.
“The film deals with caregiving for Alzheimer’s patients, and I don’t think we acknowledge caregivers enough. I have elders at home, so I understand what it takes to care for someone every single day,” she said.
The actor revealed that she accepted the role despite not being in her “best conventional appearance” at the time, emphasising that emotional honesty mattered more for the character.
“I also took up this film at a time when I was overweight and not conventionally looking my best. But none of that mattered because the role demanded emotional honesty, and I gave myself completely to it,” she added.
Priyanka described the experience as transformative and emotionally intense, saying the film reinforced the importance of compassion and care.
“When a subject like this gets showcased at a prestigious festival, it feels deeply validating. The role shook me up emotionally and reminded me that even if you cannot cure someone, you can always care for them,” she said.
While fashion has increasingly become a major attraction at Cannes, Priyanka said it was not her main focus during the festival.
She also praised director Karen Kshiti Survarna and expressed admiration for the rise of women filmmakers.
“This is a time when women are making remarkable strides in filmmaking, and being directed by a 22-year-old woman is truly inspiring. I hope experiences like this also motivate my children,” she said.