Vidya Balan is known for her path-breaking roles in films like The Dirty Picture, Kahaani and Parineeta.
New Delhi:
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan andLife of Pi director Ang Lee are part of the prestigious 66thCannes Film Festival's nine-member jury, headed by Hollywooddirector Steven Spielberg.
Balan, 35, one of the most respected performers in India,is best known for her path-breaking roles in films like TheDirty Picture, Kahaani and Parineeta.
The other big names joining Spielberg are Oscar-winningactress Nicole Kidman, Oscar-winner Christophe Waltz, Japanesedirector Naomi Kawase, Scottish director Lynne Ramsay, Frenchactor-director Daniel Auteuil and Romanian director CristianMungiu.
The jury will award the coveted Palme d'Or prize to oneof the 19 films in competition at this year's festival, whichruns from May 15 to 26.
"Vidya Balan on cannes jury... awesome...," directorAnurag Kashyap tweeted.Director Shekhar Kapur and actress Sharmila Tagore havepreviously been a part of Cannes jury.
Cannes has invited India this year to celebrate 100 yearsof country's cinema.
Apart from Vidya Balan, actress Nandita Das is also a part of aseparate jury for short films.
The festival will open on May 15 with The Great Gatsby,which also has megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a cameo. The actorwill be attending the opening ceremony while the festival hasextended a special invite to his daughter-in-law AishwaryaRai Bachchan, a regular at Cannes' red carpet.
This year, four Indian films have been selected indifferent non-competition categories at Cannes.Bombay Talkies, an anthology film by four directors--Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar --will have a gala screening at the festival.
Kashyap will also be screening his Ugly in festival'sDirectors' Fortnight sidebar where he earlier showcased histwo-part revenge drama Gangs of Wasseypur.
Dabba (Lunchbox) and Monsoon Shootout, co-producedby Anurag Kashyap, have been selected for Cannes Critics Week andMidnight Screening sections respectively.
Balan, 35, one of the most respected performers in India,is best known for her path-breaking roles in films like TheDirty Picture, Kahaani and Parineeta.
The other big names joining Spielberg are Oscar-winningactress Nicole Kidman, Oscar-winner Christophe Waltz, Japanesedirector Naomi Kawase, Scottish director Lynne Ramsay, Frenchactor-director Daniel Auteuil and Romanian director CristianMungiu.
The jury will award the coveted Palme d'Or prize to oneof the 19 films in competition at this year's festival, whichruns from May 15 to 26.
"Vidya Balan on cannes jury... awesome...," directorAnurag Kashyap tweeted.Director Shekhar Kapur and actress Sharmila Tagore havepreviously been a part of Cannes jury.
Cannes has invited India this year to celebrate 100 yearsof country's cinema.
Apart from Vidya Balan, actress Nandita Das is also a part of aseparate jury for short films.
The festival will open on May 15 with The Great Gatsby,which also has megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a cameo. The actorwill be attending the opening ceremony while the festival hasextended a special invite to his daughter-in-law AishwaryaRai Bachchan, a regular at Cannes' red carpet.
This year, four Indian films have been selected indifferent non-competition categories at Cannes.Bombay Talkies, an anthology film by four directors--Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar --will have a gala screening at the festival.
Kashyap will also be screening his Ugly in festival'sDirectors' Fortnight sidebar where he earlier showcased histwo-part revenge drama Gangs of Wasseypur.
Dabba (Lunchbox) and Monsoon Shootout, co-producedby Anurag Kashyap, have been selected for Cannes Critics Week andMidnight Screening sections respectively.
