'Festival films have potential for global box office success'

Festival films are capable of global recognition as well as box office success, says filmmaker Ritesh Batra, whose film "Lunchbox" will be screened at the upcoming Cannes International Film festival.

"I think a film which goes for festivals is not just restricted to Indian box office. The film gets global recognition and also gets box office success on a global level," Batra told IANS.

However, he said, "It also depends on which festival the films get selected in".

"As far as Cannes is concerned, it is the biggest film festival," he added.

Batra is excited that his movie, which will be screened as part of Cannes Critics' Week, a parallel competition selection running alongside the official festival selection, is a part of the prestigious gala. The film features Irrfan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

"I am looking forward to watch my film at Cannes with the entire cast. It's a very universal story and I am happy that the film will travel above and beyond India. I think it's a great platform," he said.

The project is produced by Anurag Kashyap.