Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu shares his experience at the Cannes Film Festival with Shobha Warrier.

Murali Nair and his family were there by the time I reached Cannes on the evening of the 16th. So were Parameswaran of the NFDC (one of the producers of Arimbara) and his wife. John, the still photographer of Arimbara, had come down from London.

I must tell you about the locale of the festival. It is one of the most beautiful, one of the most stunning places I have seen in my life. It is located between the hills and the sea, and I can only describe the place as gorgeous.

Seeing the Indian tricolour flying high there, my heart swelled with pride. It was flying there only because of Arimbara, the only Indian film selected for the competition. The very thought that I was also a part of the film made me look up at the flag again. I felt happy, proud and satisfied. I can't describe the feeling I get when I see our national flag flying high in another country.

What I did first was, I just walked around the place trying to catch the feeling of being a part of such a serious festival. There were many theatre complexes showing films and many stalls put up by various countries for selling their films. I saw the stalls of some Hindi films there.

The screening of Arimbara was on the 18th. So we had one day to see other films. We walked down to the venue as they had arranged a hotel for us very close to it. As usual, I was in my favourite dress -- mundu (dhoti worn in Kerala) and shirt. Actually, there is a dress code for watching films after 6 in the evening -- you have to be in a suit. I had not taken any western clothes with me and Murali Nair offered to lend me one of his. Then we were told that we could be in our national dress too. So, once again, I moved around in mundu and shirt!

I saw a couple of French films that were there in the competitive section. What impressed me most was the projection, the sound quality in the theatres and the way people watched. Although there were 1000-1500 people in the theatre, there was pin drop silence during the show. Unlike here, no cell phone rang to irritate us, no one talked or whistled; it was a different kind of an experience for me. I was bowled over by their culture of appreciating films. I wish we also had the same seriousness in watching films. As you know, Cannes is not a glamour festival: it is meant for creative filmmakers. So you see only people who are interested in watching films with all seriousness, and to them, cinema is an art form, a pure art form.

Our official show was on the 18th. I was in mundu and shirt. I think I was the only one to be dressed that way there! Anyway, I felt quite comfortable. Because it was an official show, all of us who were a part of Arimbara, Murali, myself, John, Parameswaran of NFDC, two music directors, the broadcasting minister from India, etc, were given a red carpet welcome. Aishwarya Rai, one of the jury members, came to receive us.

We stood on the dais to be introduced to the world media. Murali Nair spoke a little, but not about the film, as they were going to watch the film. Then he introduced each one of us. After that, it was time for the screening. Once the film began, there was total silence in the hall. After it was over, there was a very long applause. Needless to say, I felt so proud and happy.

Immediately after the first show, which was the official one, there was another show for the public. You won't believe, the hall was so overcrowded that there was not enough space for all those who had gathered to sit and watch the film. Many were seen sitting on the floor.

Even though there were so many people in the hall, their decorum once the film started was very commendable. They were the perfect audience, which sadly I will never see here. One of the reasons for the not-so-high standard of the audience at home, I think, is we do not have the habit of watching good and serious films, and we do not look at cinema as an art form. It has only one purpose here and that is entertainment. Another reason is the projection, which was so perfect there. Even the ruffle of my mundu was so clearly heard. We do not have that kind of sound quality here in any of our theatres.

All those with whom I interacted told me they were very impressed with Arimabara and it was different and bold. So many television channels interviewed me, and without exception, all of them were surprised to know that I have acted in more than 300 films! They wanted to know so many things about Arimabara, how the film was made, what the experience was, etc. I was also asked by many how I interpreted the wart as an actor. I told them that my job as an actor was to interpret the character and not the wart. That was the job of the filmmaker. As an actor, I only tried to understand a man who had a wart that grew. I felt it was unnecessary for me to interpret the wart.

It was a great experience when many recognised me at the café and on the streets as I walked around. Several people came and congratulated me at a café the next day. All of them were French people. Still they enjoyed the film and it was heartening to note that they recognised me and came forward to exchange a few words, in French of course. And I do not know French. Still we communicated.

As this trip was arranged at the last moment, I had to come back on the 21st. There was no way I could postpone some of my commitments. I would have loved to be there till the festival ended but that was not to be.

Sometimes I wonder whether it really happened. I have only been to the international festivals that were organised in Kerala. This was my first experience in a place like Cannes and am I not impressed by the way everyone watched films there? I feel it was my good fortune that I could go there and be a part of such a festival.

I still feel it was all a dream. I never ever thought even in my wildest dreams that one day, I would be given a red carpet welcome in front of a world audience. It was a real humbling experience for me. If I had any arrogance in me, it vanished as I understood that I was only a student in the world of cinema and there were lots and lots for me to learn.

I have hoarded the happy memories of my days at Cannes in a treasure chest in the depths of my heart, to be cherished forever.

It is once again back to the world of normal, ordinary films, daily shooting and mundane life.