Bollywood dazzles Cannes

Bombay Talkies - an anthology film consisting of four short movies directed by renowned India filmmakers Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar (from left to right) - was shown at the prestigious Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival) this year. The films were made as a tribute to the Indian film industry’s 100-year anniversary.

Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most popular Indian film stars, recently had a short role in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. It is Bachchan's first Hollywood appearance. The veteran actor inaugurated the 66th Cannes Film Festival with Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is one of the festival's nine jury members. Famous Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg heads the jury, which will decide who will win the coveted Palme D'Or award for Best Picture on the final day of the festival.

Twenty-nine-year-old Guneet Monga (second from left) is one of India's most celebrated producers. She is at Cannes to showcase her two films, The Lunchbox, and Monsoon Shootout. These "independent" Indian films attempt to show a different side of India - one which is rarely presented in mainstream Bollywood movies.

Freida Selena Pinto - best known for her role in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire - is also present at the Cannes Film Festival. She has worked with a number of celebrated Hollywood directors like Woody Allen since her 2008 Hollywood debut.

It is actress Sonam Kapoor's third consecutive year at Cannes as ambassador for the brand L'Oreal. The Indian fashion icon wins over the international audience with her sensuous looks and pretty outfits.

Aishwarya Rai is probably Bollywood's most known personality in the world. She has been participating in the festival for 12 years. The 39-year-old actress and model was the first Indian actress to make it to the Cannes jury in 2003.