Somewhere between the glitz and glam of the festival, Kalyani Priyadarshan finds a slow moment on the French Riviera to talk to The Hollywood Reporter India.
The actor gained significant praise and acclaim for her role as Chandra in the 2025 release Lokah Chapter One: Chandra, marking her skill and potential as an emerging actor.
In this conversation, Kalyani debunks common Cannes myths, reveals her high and low points, and reflects on what exactly it means to find success as an artist.
Dressed in a sleek white maxi skirt with scrunched-up detailing around the waist and a neatly tailored white vest to match, the actor embodies elegance.
“The jewellery took many many days, and many many hours to make,” she says, grazing her fingers around a stunning necklace made exclusively for her by Kalyan Jewellers.
“But this look actually didn’t take too long.. maybe about an hour an a half,” she adds nonchalantly.
When asked what is more stressful at Cannes, the red carpet or getting a film ticket, she responds saying the tickets, claiming she has been trying to get a few and is surprised by how difficult it is. “Everything is booked out,” she adds.
The conversation then shifts to what makes her feel most alive while at Cannes, whether it is the fashion person in her, the cinephile, or the social butterfly. “I think everything! I’m just like a little child who is really happy to be here,” she says, mirroring the thrill and the excitement of her debut at a festival as grand as Cannes.
As the rapid fire makes way into the high points at Cannes, Priyadarshan talks about meeting Guneet Monga Kapoor and how big of a moment that has been for her. “Huge fan of everything she’s doing, especially for women in cinema, so just happy,” she says. When asked how she defines the height of success as an artist, Priyadarshan says, "It's great to be representing south India here today.. I’m very excited because south cinema right now is having that moment.”