In a historic moment, Indian actor Anasuya Sengupta has etched her name in the annals of cinema by becoming the first Indian to win an acting award at the Cannes Film Festival. On Friday, May 24, Anasuya received the Best Actress award for her remarkable performance in the movie The Shameless during the Un Certain Regard segment of the prestigious festival123.

The Shameless, directed by Bulgarian filmmaker Constantin Bojanov, portrays the journey of a sex worker who escapes from a brothel in Delhi after stabbing a policeman. Anasuya’s powerful portrayal in the film captivated audiences and critics alike, earning her this coveted accolade.

In her acceptance speech, Anasuya dedicated the award “to the queer community and other marginalized communities around the world for bravely fighting a battle they shouldn’t have to fight.” She emphasized the importance of empathy and equality, stating, “You don’t have to be queer to fight for equality, you don’t have to be colonized to understand that colonizing is pathetic — we just need to be very, very decent human beings.”

The Indian film industry celebrates this momentous achievement, and Anasuya’s win serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors and filmmakers. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to social causes make her a true trailblazer.