Pooja Batra's 'Echoes Of Us' screens at Cannes 2025: Golden hour on the French Riviera
Synopsis
Pooja Batra's return to Cannes is no red-carpet cameo — she's there as a producer, with her short film 'Echoes Of Us' earning a formal screening at the world's most prestigious film festival. Two decades after 'Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story' played Cannes in 2004, Batra has pivoted from actress to filmmaker, and the French Riviera is taking notice.
Key Takeaways
Pooja Batra's short film 'Echoes Of Us' screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 .
The film is directed by Joe Rajan and stars Deepak Tijori and Spanish actress Alessandra Whelan Merediz .
It is produced by Glowbellinc , Batra's Los Angeles -based production house.
Batra shared golden-hour photographs from the balcony of the iconic Hotel Martinez on the French Riviera .
This is Batra's second Cannes connection — her film 'Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story' was showcased there in 2004 .
Batra, 49 , was crowned Miss India International in 1993 and made her Bollywood debut in 1997 .
Actress-producer Pooja Batra is living a landmark moment at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, where her short film 'Echoes Of Us' has earned a coveted screening slot. The 49-year-old filmmaker and actress marked the occasion by sharing sun-drenched photographs from the balcony of the iconic Art Deco Hotel Martinez on the French Riviera, captioning the golden-hour moment: 'Golden hour in Cannes feels like a standing ovation.'
About the Film
'Echoes Of Us' is a short film that explores themes of love, loss, and human connection. Directed and written by Joe Rajan, the film stars Deepak Tijori and Spanish actress Alessandra Whelan Merediz, and is designed to resonate across cultures and borders. It is produced by Glowbellinc, the Los Angeles-based production house helmed by Batra herself.
Cannes Moment and Team Celebration
Batra had earlier shared pictures alongside Iulia Vantur and Deepak Tijori from the Riviera, expressing her gratitude to the Festival de Cannes and the Marché du Film for the experience. She credited director Joe Rajan and her team for making the screening possible, and noted her outfits were by designer Nidhi Casa di Moda.
Pooja Batra's Journey in Indian Cinema
Batra first gained national recognition in 1993 when she was crowned Miss India International. She made her Bollywood debut in 1997 with 'Virasat', starring alongside Anil Kapoor, and went on to appear in films such as 'Bhai' with Suniel Shetty, 'Haseena Maan Jayegi', 'Nayak: The Real Hero', and 'Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story' — the last of which was itself showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. Her most recent screen appearance was in the 2021 action thriller 'Squad', directed by Nilesh Sahay.
A Personal Legacy Beyond Cinema
Notably, Batra is related to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a martyr decorated with India's highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra — a connection that underscores a personal legacy of distinction that runs parallel to her public career. Her return to Cannes as a producer, more than two decades after her first appearance there as an actress, marks a significant shift in her creative identity.
What's Next
With 'Echoes Of Us' now part of the Cannes circuit, Batra's Glowbellinc production house is expected to gain international visibility. The film's cross-cultural casting and universal themes position it as a potential candidate for further festival runs beyond Cannes.
Point of View
A path few Indian actors-turned-producers have navigated successfully. Whether the festival traction translates into a wider release or further festival runs will be the real measure of Glowbellinc's ambitions.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pooja Batra's short film 'Echoes Of Us' about?
'Echoes Of Us' is a short film exploring themes of love, loss, and human connection. It is written and directed by Joe Rajan and stars Deepak Tijori and Spanish actress Alessandra Whelan Merediz, with a narrative designed to resonate across cultures.
Where did 'Echoes Of Us' screen at Cannes 2025?
The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 as part of the Marché du Film programme. Pooja Batra and her team attended the festival on the French Riviera.
Who produced 'Echoes Of Us'?
The film is produced by Glowbellinc, a Los Angeles-based production house founded and run by Pooja Batra.
What is Pooja Batra's connection to Cannes?
Batra's film 'Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story' was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. Her 2025 appearance marks a return to Cannes, this time as a producer rather than an actress.
What is Pooja Batra known for in Bollywood?
Pooja Batra made her Bollywood debut in 1997 with 'Virasat' alongside Anil Kapoor. She is also known for 'Haseena Maan Jayegi', 'Nayak: The Real Hero', and 'Bhai', and was crowned Miss India International in 1993.
