Huma Qureshi at Cannes 2025: 'Being a modern Indian woman is about authorship'
Synopsis
At Cannes 2025, Huma Qureshi reframed what it means to be a modern Indian woman — not perfection, but deliberate authorship. Her appearance at the Red Sea Film Foundation's 'Women in Cinema' event, alongside Rami Malek, Demi Moore, and Chloé Zhao, placed her at the intersection of Bollywood and global cinema's most prestigious conversations.
Key Takeaways
Huma Qureshi shared her Cannes reflections on Instagram on 19 May 2025 , saying being a modern Indian woman is about 'authorship, not perfection.' She attended the Red Sea Film Foundation 's 'Women in Cinema' event on the sidelines of the 79th Cannes Film Festival .
Qureshi was photographed with Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek at the event.
Other attendees included Demi Moore , Chloé Zhao , Tara Sutaria , and Genevieve Nnaji .
The 79th Cannes Film Festival runs from 12 May to 23 May 2025 .
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi has used her appearance at the 79th Cannes Film Festival to articulate what she believes defines the modern Indian woman — not perfection, she says, but 'authorship' and the patient, deliberate work of building oneself 'brick by brick.'
What Huma Said
Sharing a series of photographs from the French Riviera on Instagram on 19 May 2025, Qureshi reflected on her journey with characteristic candour. 'To me, being a modern Indian woman is not about perfection. It is about authorship. Building yourself in public. Brick by brick,' she wrote.
She elaborated: 'Carrying your roots into global spaces without diluting them. Turning survival into elegance. Turning ambition into art. And walking every carpet knowing you did not arrive by accident. Intentionally authentic… And somehow, every arrival feels a little more unforgettable…. especially stepping out of a BMW. Until the next, au revoir, Cannes.'
Rubbing Shoulders at the Croisette
Beyond the red carpet, Qureshi was among a distinguished gathering at the Red Sea Film Foundation's 'Women in Cinema' event held on the sidelines of the festival, which commenced on 12 May and is scheduled to conclude on 23 May 2025. She was photographed alongside Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek, and the image was re-shared from the Red Sea Film Foundation's official handle.
The foundation's caption noted that the event celebrated 'women's cinematic contributions,' with Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Faisal Baltyuor and RSIFF Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra in attendance. Honourees at the 'Women in Cinema' segment included Aixa Kay, Tara Sutaria, Laïla Marrakchi, Genevieve Nnaji, Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, and Kamila Andini. Also present were Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, Sara Sampaio, Lucas Bravo, and Khaled Mouzanar, among others.
The Larger Picture
Qureshi's presence at Cannes underscores a growing cohort of Indian actresses making deliberate inroads into global film circuits — not merely as attendees, but as participants in conversations around representation and gender in cinema. Her association with the Red Sea Film Foundation's women-focused segment adds institutional weight to what might otherwise read as a personal reflection.
Notably, this edition of Cannes has seen a strong Indian contingent, with several actors and filmmakers using the platform to position Indian cinema in an international context. Qureshi's message — roots without dilution, ambition without apology — resonates with a generation navigating identity on a global stage.
What Comes Next
The 79th Cannes Film Festival wraps on 23 May 2025. Qureshi has not announced any specific project tied to the festival, but her visibility at high-profile events such as the Red Sea Film Foundation gathering signals continued engagement with international cinema networks.
Point of View
But it is also a carefully constructed public positioning — 'intentionally authentic' is, after all, a phrase that knows it is being watched. What is more substantive is her presence at the Red Sea Film Foundation's women-in-cinema platform: that is institutional access, not just optics. Indian actresses at Cannes have historically been framed around fashion; Qureshi is attempting to shift that frame toward voice and agency. Whether the industry — domestic or global — responds to the substance rather than the spectacle remains the real question.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Huma Qureshi say about being a modern Indian woman at Cannes 2025?
Huma Qureshi said that being a modern Indian woman is 'not about perfection' but about 'authorship' — building oneself 'brick by brick' and carrying one's roots into global spaces without diluting them. She shared these reflections in an Instagram post on 19 May 2025 during her visit to the Cannes Film Festival.
Which event did Huma Qureshi attend at the 79th Cannes Film Festival?
Qureshi attended the Red Sea Film Foundation's 'Women in Cinema' event held on the sidelines of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The event celebrated women's cinematic contributions and was hosted by Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Faisal Baltyuor and RSIFF Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra.
Who did Huma Qureshi meet at Cannes 2025?
Huma Qureshi was photographed with Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek at the Red Sea Film Foundation's Women in Cinema event. Other notable attendees included Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, Tara Sutaria, Genevieve Nnaji, and Sara Sampaio.
When does the 79th Cannes Film Festival end?
The 79th Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to conclude on 23 May 2025. It commenced on 12 May 2025.
What is the Red Sea Film Foundation's Women in Cinema segment?
The Red Sea Film Foundation's 'Women in Cinema' is a platform that celebrates women's contributions to global cinema. At Cannes 2025, it honoured figures including Aixa Kay, Tara Sutaria, Laïla Marrakchi, Genevieve Nnaji, Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, and Kamila Andini.
