Oscar winning French actress lends support to 'Masaan'

Indian film "Masaan", which created the right noise at the Cannes International Film Festival earlier this year, has drawn the support of French actress Marion Cotillard, who took it upon herself to promote its release in her country.

"Masaan", the directorial debut of Neeraj Ghaywan, released in France on Wednesday, and on the same day Cotillard uploaded the French poster of the film on her Instagram page.

Alongside the image, she wrote: "'Masaan' releases today in France after a huge success in Cannes. Produced by Melita Toscan Du Plantier with Richa Chadha in lead role."

Melita produced the film with her partner Marie Jeanne-Pascal alongside other Indo-French partners of "Masaan".

Thanking Cotillard for the support, Melita said in a statement: "I've known Marion for about 19 years now. I remember how she was so excited and texted me asking about the prize 'Masaan' had won. She was on the way to red carpet for her film 'Macbeth'. She is very excited to watch 'Masaan' and is supporting the film."

Richa, who features on the film's poster that Cotillard has shared, is also ecstatic.

"It's truly magical. I have watched Marion's work for inspiration. In fact, my director Neeraj gave me her film 'Rust and Bone' as research for 'Masaan'. Like many things in this film, it's come full circle again. I am so overwhelmed with her generosity. It feels great to be mentioned by an Oscar winning actress. We are all touched."

Ghaywan said that it's "inspiring to have one of the world's greatest actor come out and support our film".

"I have seen almost all her films and I have huge respect for her craft. I take immense pride and extend my relentless gratitude on behalf of team 'Masaan'," added the director, whose movie won the Promising Future Prize and the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) Award at the Cannes movie gala, apart from a five-minute standing ovation at the film gala.

A joint production between Manish Mundra (Drishyam Films), Macassar Productions, Sikhya Entertainment and Phantom Films, "Masaan" was selected in the UnCertain Regard section at the Cannes fest.

The film also stars Sanjay Mishra, and newcomers Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi in a story about four people from a small Indian town and how they fit into the moralities.

In India, it is releasing on July 24.