Film was important, not the clothes: Shabana Azmi

While debate rages on over which star’s Cannes red carpet look this year is likely to go down in history, a picture of Shabana Azmi with Smita Patil and filmmaker Shyam Benegal is now going viral. As a wonderful cinematic throwback, the picture featured the illustrious actors and filmmaker from the 1976 Cannes, where they were promoting their film Nishant. Shabana Azmi posted the picture on Twitter with the caption, “In Cannes 1976 for Nishant in official section. The simplicity of it all. Film was important not the clothes!” In the picture, Shyam is wearing a full-sleeved t-shirt and a waist coat, and Shabana and Smita are the epitome of simplicity in their sarees. There was no posing for the shutterbugs, and the three are completely candid in this black-and-white photograph. The film they were promoting was selected for the Palme d’Or, the highest honour at the Cannes Film Festival, but there was no over-the-top publicity drives back then. In another tweet, Shabana recalls that since there was no money for special promotions, the director made Smita and her walk down the promenade in their saris. Those “who turned in curiosity” were asked to watch Nishant. And the strategy worked, as the actress said the house was full during the film’s screening at Cannes.