Actor Anupam Kher’s second directorial in more than two decades, Tanvi The Great, will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this May. Anupam shares that he wanted the film’s journey to start from “the Maha Kumbh of cinema”.

“I directed Om Jai Jagadish in 2002, but that was not my story. After that, I didn’t direct any film. I wanted it to come from within me, an Indian film for international viewing. I’ve been waiting to direct another film for 23 years now,” says the 70-year-old.

Anupam adds that he has made the film with a theatrical release in mind: “The film has an Indian character, but it’s a universal film. That’s why I am spending money, taking actors there (Cannes) — it’s a huge kharcha. But I want to put the film on a pedestal. You will not ask Martin Scorcese if his film will release in theatres or OTT! I am not comparing myself to these greats, but when you are making a film with passion, uska jo marzi hashr ho, you make it for the cinemas.”

Ask Anupam, who has worked in international projects such as Silver Linings Playbook (2012), whether Indian films and talent are seen differently now, and he says, “It certainly has changed, but I have not made this film as a crusader. It has an international appeal which is why I signed on internationally known people such as (composer) MM Keeravani and (sound designer) Resul Pookutty, both Oscar winners. My DoP (Keiko Nakahara) is Japanese.”