Paoli to walk the red carpet at Cannes

With Vimukthi Jayasundara���������s Bengali film, ���������Chatrak��������� , being selected for the Directors��������� Fortnight section, Paoli will be walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival this year
Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara���������s ���������Chatrak��������� (English title ���������Mushrooms��������� ) has been selected for the Directors��������� Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival (May 12-May 22).The Directors��������� Fortnight showcases a programme of shorts and feature films as well as documentaries from all over the world. While the official announcements will be made at a press conference soon, the film���������s producer, Vinod Lahoti, has already received an email from the screening coordinator congratulating the unit on the selection of the film. Says Vinod, ���������Vimukthi is in Paris now and I am thrilled with the achievement. Though we are yet to finalize the details, it���������s true that Paoli will be walking the red carpet along with Vimukthi. I too have plans of going to the Festival.��������� Director Bappaditya Bandopadhyay, the film���������s executive producer, is ecstatic. Says Bappaditya, ���������It���������s a huge honour for contemporary Bengali cinema. Apart from Paoli, I think we will also be sending two people from the film���������s marketing unit so that we can help generate business for the film internationally. However, I will not be going down to Cannes.��������� As for Paoli, the actor hasn���������t stopped beaming with joy ever since she heard the news. Excerpts from an interview with Paoli:
What was your first reaction when you heard the news?
I was shopping in a mall in Mumbai when I first heard the news. This is the biggest news of my career. Completely oblivious to my surrounding, I jumped with joy. It was only moments later that I realized that people around me must have thought that I had lost my mind and, hence, was reacting that way. But come to think of it, the news is too big for me. I am girl from Haripada Dutta Lane. And today, my film is taking me to Cannes, where I���������ll be walking the red carpet. It���������s magical for me. When I came back, I stood under a shower and cried. Tears of joy streamed down my cheek. Slowly, the feeling started sinking in. All this wouldn���������t have been possible without my team. Vinod and Bappada have supported this endeavour. What���������s even more important is that I am going to Cannes for a film and not as part of any cosmetics major. That makes this a lot more prestigious.
So much is written about Ash and Mallika���������s wardrobes at Cannes. Have you decided on what you will wear at Cannes yet?
I used to read all the articles on what our stars wore at Cannes. I know, I will be watched. Everything that I do there will be under the scanner. I am leaving for Dubai on Thursday. I will be returning from Dubai on April 18. It���������s only after I return to India that I shall decide on my look and whether I will go with Indian or Westernwear.
When you had turned down Italo Spinelli���������s film, you had said that perhaps something better is waiting for you. Is this that ���������better��������� news?
I feel, whatever happens in life is for the best. Of course, there are times when we harbour regrets. There were certain things that happened during the making of that film that made me choose to not do the movie. Today, I am so happy having done ���������Chatrak��������� . Everybody has worked very hard and has slogged day and night to make this film. I learnt a lot while working in ���������Chatrak��������� . Vimukthi has a different vision about cinema and working with an international crew was also rewarding.
Once you have a film at Cannes, does it automatically make you choosy?
I understand that not all films will reach that height. Each film has its own merit and space. If my ���������Chatrak��������� goes to Cannes, it doesn���������t mean that I will not work in commercial Bengali cinema. I will come back and dub for ���������Uro Choti Super��������� from April 19. In May, I will be at Cannes. Postelections , I will do a film titled ���������Hoichoi��������� by Debarati Gupta. This film is about a theatre group where I play a director. Then, there���������s a film by Sougata Roy Burman that I am considering. The film is about a doctor and a painter. I have been offered the role of the female protagonist in this movie.
With so much happening in your career now, are you missing anyone?
I have very good people supporting me. My family and my friends are nice. But yes, I wish Pat (actor Shiladitya Patranobis) was here now. He passed away in 2008. He would have been thrilled if he heard the news of me walking the red carpet at Cannes.