Sharmila Tagore, Simi Garewal Bring Bollywood Grace to Cannes 2025, See Pics!

May 20, 2025: Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore made a stunning appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, alongside her daughter and jewellery designer Saba Pataudi, for the screening of Satyajit Ray’s classic 1970 film “Aranyer Din Ratri”. A 4K restored version of the Bengali-language film, now titled “Days and Nights in the Forest” in English, was showcased under the Cannes Classics section.

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The screening was a momentous occasion, marking the first-ever Cannes debut for Sharmila and her co-star Simi Garewal, who were both part of the ensemble cast of the film. Also present at the premiere were Purnima Dutta, producer of the film, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder of the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF). The event was presented by Hollywood filmmaker Wes Anderson, a long-time admirer of Ray’s work.

Aranyer Din Ratri: A Timeless Tale Restored

The film, which originally explored themes of alienation, class, and modernity, follows four city-bred men who venture into the forests of Palamau for a holiday, only to experience a profound journey of self-discovery. Based on the novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay, Aranyer Din Ratri was well-received globally and even had its world premiere at the 20th Berlin International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.

The Cannes Classics screening of Aranyer Din Ratri is presented by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project and L’Immagine Ritrovata, in collaboration with Janus Films and the Criterion Collection. The restoration was funded by the Golden Globe Foundation, preserving a gem of Indian cinema.

A Grand Celebration of Film Heritage

Sharmila, who played one of the key roles in the film, looked radiant in a bottle green saree, embodying the essence of Indian culture on the prestigious global platform. Simi Garewal, always a style icon, dazzled in her trademark white outfit, complementing the elegance of the occasion.

The screening was just one of the many celebrations of cinematic history at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which also includes a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” for its centenary and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Amores Perros” to mark its 25th anniversary.

This iconic film from the 1970s now finds itself back in the limelight, reminding a new generation of the brilliance of Satyajit Ray’s storytelling and the rich history of Indian cinema.