For 25-year-old actress Sushmita Siingh, 2026 has been a significant year. Her film Bombay Stories, directed by Rahhat Shah Kazmi, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last month, marking her debut at the prestigious platform. The film, inspired by the works of Saadat Hasan Manto and rooted in real-life experiences of women, has already garnered international recognition. It was selected in the Asian Panorama section at the Da Nang Asian Film Festival and went on to win Best Feature Film at the Paris Film Awards.
In the film, Sushmita plays one of the lead protagonists, a 20-year-old college student whose life takes a dramatic turn after a traumatic incident. Sharing screen space with actors like Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka, the young actress found herself at the centre of a story that explores resilience, survival and womanhood.
Speaking to Filmfare, Sushmita looks back at the moment she learned that Bombay Stories was heading to Cannes. She says, “When I first heard that Bombay Stories was going to the Cannes Film Festival, it felt surreal. You dream of moments like these, but you never imagine your debut film itself will take you to the world’s biggest film festival. I remember thinking about every audition, every rejection, every train ride, every sacrifice and suddenly all of it felt worth it.”
Inspired by Manto’s writings and the lived realities of women, Bombay Stories forced her to confront difficult emotions while preparing for her role.
“Working on a story inspired by Saadat Hasan Manto and the realities women face was emotionally overwhelming. The biggest realisation for me was understanding how deeply women carry pain silently. While preparing for the role, so many emotions resurfaced, moments of fear, judgment and helplessness. I realised this is not just one woman’s story, it is almost every woman’s story in some form.”
Portraying a young woman whose life changes after a traumatic incident came with its own set of challenges.
She continues, “Since the film touches upon prostitution and trauma, I had to enter a very dark and vulnerable emotional space. As one of the leads, there was a huge responsibility on my shoulders to portray her pain honestly and sensitively. Performing alongside some of the finest actors in the industry pushed me beyond my limits. I had to discover emotions within myself that I didn’t even know existed. There were days when I would carry the character home with me because the emotions felt so real. It transformed me as an actor.”
Working alongside Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka also left a lasting impression on the young actress.
“Working with Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka was beautiful because beyond their success and fame, what stood out to me most was their humility. They were warm, grounded and incredibly kind to everyone around them. It reminded me that no matter how big you become, your humanity and kindness are what truly define you,” she shares.
Sushmita also addressed the growing perception that Cannes has become overcrowded with Indian attendees, a narrative that often surfaces online every year. “I think somewhere the essence of the festival is getting misunderstood online. Cannes is, first and foremost, a film festival. It is a celebration of cinema, storytelling and artists from around the world.”
While acknowledging the presence of brands, creators and fashion, she continues, “There is nothing wrong with brands, fashion or creators being present, but I think people should remember the soul of Cannes has always been cinema. The focus should always come back to films and the artists who dedicate their lives to storytelling.”
The Cannes debut has also opened new doors internationally. Sushmita reveals that she has already signed an international project, something she once only dreamed about.
“In fact, I recently signed an international project, and it honestly feels unreal. Ever since I started working at the age of 14, all I have wanted is to be part of stories that move people and challenge me as an actor. I’ve worked across different mediums in India for years, and now finally seeing my work reach international spaces feels incredibly rewarding. It gives me hope that cinema truly has no boundaries.”
One of those opportunities emerged unexpectedly during Cannes itself. Sushmita confirms that conversations with renowned French filmmaker Eric Atlan and producer Rex Christy eventually led to her landing her first international film.
“It still feels like a dream when I talk about it. I had gone to Cannes because of Bombay Stories, and somewhere amidst all the screenings, red carpets and conversations, I ended up meeting the team of Eric Atlan and producer Rex Christy. There were already conversations happening with other actors, but after the audition process, I somehow found myself being chosen for the role. It feels incredibly special because this project marks my first international film. Firsts are always unforgettable.”
She also looks back at how growing up in Kalyan, she never imagined she would one day represent a film at Cannes. She shares, “I started modelling at an age when people would tell me I could never become a model because I was a complete tomboy growing up.
Then at 17, I became the first Indian and Asian to win Miss Teen World 2019, and that completely changed my life. It was my mother who saw something in me before I saw it in myself. My parents pushed me toward acting, and slowly I realized this is what I truly wanted to do for the rest of my life. I think what keeps me grounded even today are the memories of travelling from Kalyan to Andheri every single day for auditions and work. Those train rides, those struggles, those moments of uncertainty, they shaped me.”
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