Before she was a star, Bhumi Pednekkar was a star-maker—a casting agent at Yash Raj Films who helped discover the likes of Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal. In this deep-dive interview with Mayank Shekhar, Bhumi looks back at her life on the other side of the camera and the harsh reality of delivering one of Hindi cinema’s biggest washouts.

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 is officially underway, bringing its signature mix of red carpet glamour and powerful cinema. Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia returned as a jury member. Urvashi Rautela grabbed attention with a colourful outfit and a ₹4 lakh parrot-shaped clutch. On the international front, Robert De Niro was honoured with the prestigious Palme d`Or for Lifetime Achievement, presented by Leonardo DiCaprio amid a standing ovation. Bella Hadid made a striking comeback in a bold Saint Laurent gown.