Anasuya Sengupta bought her outfit from a flea market to receive Best Actress award at Cannes

Anasuya Sengupta Pic/Instagram

In an unprecedented and momentous event, Anasuya Sengupta has become the first Indian actor to win the prestigious Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. This historic achievement was for her remarkable performance in 'The Shameless', a gripping film that competed in the Un Certain Regard section of the 77th edition of the festival.

"This is for the queer community everywhere, and all other marginalized communities all over the world, for bravely fighting a fight they shouldn't have to fight," Anasuya passionately stated upon receiving her award. "More female gaze is the way forward, and the browner the better," she added.

Later, Anasuya took to Instagram and shared a heartwarming message upon her win. Besides her statement, she also posted glimpses from the award ceremony and revealed how her outfit was bought from a flea market in Cannes.

She wrote, "Winning the Best Actress award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival is an incredibly humbling honour. Furthermore, to know that I am the first Indian to have received this is that much more special. I am deeply grateful to the festival jury - artists I have long admired - for recognising my work among such talented peers. To me, this award is much more than just a personal achievement. I am here because of my film, 'The Shameless', tirelessly mounted by my producers from all over the world; Urban factory, Akka films, House on Fire productions, Klas films, TPHQ, and Shanta Nepali productions that line produced in Nepal. I am particularly grateful to my cast and my director Konstantin Bojanov for believing so fiercely in me. He is nothing short of a magician in my eyes!"

"This film bears testimony to the power of storytelling and the invaluable contributions of all who worked so lovingly on it, not thinking about glory or possible accolades. I only stand on the shoulders of giants, women in cinema who have relentlessly been working to embody characters and stories that need to be told. I owe so much to them! I hope this recognition paves the way for more opportunities and visibility for women in the Indian film industry, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams fearlessly," she added.

‘The Shameless' narrates Renuka's (Sengupta) harrowing yet empowering journey as she escapes a brothel in Delhi after killing a police officer, and explores her complex relationship with her love interest, played by Omara Shetty.

(With inputs from ANI)