PremiumRahul Roy’s comeback film, Agra, to premiere at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight 2023
Kanu Behl’s next Hindi feature film is the only Indian feature film in the lineup this year
Last Updated: 07.31 PM, Apr 18, 2023
Aashiqui actor Rahul Roy is all set to make a comeback with writer-director Kanu Behl’s next Hindi film, titled Agra. The film is already making news, as it will have its world premiere at the upcoming Directors’ Fortnight, an independent section of the Cannes Film Festival, 2023.
Agra is the only Indian feature film in the lineup this year at the festival, which is being held from May 16–27.
Directors' Fortnight highlights independent films from throughout the world and is a free-spirited, non-competitive selection open to all festival goers.
Agra has an ensemble cast headlined by Aashiqui star Rahul Roy, who makes a comeback with this film. It also features Priyanka Bose (actor of the Oscar-nominated film Lion), debut actor Mohit Agarwal, Ruhani Sharma, and veteran actors Vibha Chibber, Sonal Jha, and Aanchal Goswami in pivotal roles.
Written by Kanu and Atika Chohan, Agra is an exploration of sexual dynamics within a family and the deep dystopian fractures created in a modern India that are fast shrinking into pigeon-holed spaces.
Speaking about his association with the film, Rahul said, "I was excited when I read the script of Agra because it spoke about things that had been knots within me for years. As we filmed it and I lived each day with my character, I burned and exhumed those knots, and the journey became a transformative experience. I’m so excited to share this special film with the world. "
Agra is Kanu’s second film to have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival after his debut film Titli, which premiered in the 2014 Cannes Un Certain Regard section.
Overjoyed at the way his film is beginning its journey, Kanu said, "Agra has been a deeply personal and difficult exploration for me — a deep dive into the inner entrails of desire and male sexual repression and an attempt to understand the hoodoo. I’m overjoyed that the film is beginning its journey at Director’s Fortnight, and I hope it opens a conversation around sexuality and the ‘homes’ we choose to live in as it reaches a wider audience. "
Agra was developed at the PJLF Three Rivers residency programme in Italy, with the prestigious Cinema du Monde film fund backing it. The film was also part of the FBR section of the Viewing Room at the NFDC’s Film Bazaar in 2022.