The 79th Cannes Film Festival brought together some of the world’s most influential filmmakers, actors, producers, and cultural tastemakers. Among them were renowkned Indian filmmaker Rahhat Kazmi and American entertainment lawyer Maryse Selit—two professionals from very different worlds whose paths converged through a shared belief in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire and bring about social change.

For Kazmi, Cannes represented another milestone in a distinguished career devoted to telling stories that challenge perceptions and gives voice to marginalized people often overlooked by mainstream cinema. Through films such as Mantostaan, Country of Blind, Love in Vietnam, and now Bombay Stories, Kazmi has established himself as a filmmaker whose work extends beyond entertainment to explore the dignity, struggles, and resilience of the human spirit.

Premiering at Cannes, Bombay Stories generated significant discussion for its moving portrayal of individuals living on the margins of society. The film exemplifies Kazmi’s distinctive approach to filmmaking: rather than observing social issues from a distance, he immerses audiences in the emotional realities of his characters, inviting empathy where judgment might otherwise exist.

Selit attended Cannes in support of Kazmi’s Bombay Stories, starring Mouni Roy and Sushmita Singh, but the festival also reflected a natural evolution of her own lifelong commitment to advocacy to bring about social change. Although widely known as an entertainment attorney, Selit has devoted years of pro bono legal service to women affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse, using the law as a vehicle to empower those who have often been silenced. Her work has consistently centered on elevating underrepresented voices and advancing social justice—efforts that have earned her recognition and awards, including the prestigious Abeley Award established by Sanctuary for Families, Davis Polk & Wardwell and Columbia University Law School, saluting lawyers and judges who have made a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking.

While working as an attorney for Hogan Lovells––one of the most prestigious and 10 largest law firms in the World––Maryse was involved in many pro bono matters and obtained victories on behalf of domestic abuse victims in appellate court. While at Reed Smith, another top-tier US law firm, Selit fought and won cases in Federal Court on behalf of the Robin Hood Foundation charities, as she did too at the well-known New York entertainment law firm, Proskauer Rose.

While in Cannes, Selit collaborated with Kazmi on Blind Frame––an upcoming Amazon Prime India series Kazmi is shooting on location in Cannes, Barcelona and Paris––in which she portrays a US reporter who travels from Hollywood to Cannes to interview a blind Indian filmmaker whose achievements have earned international recognition.

Blind Frame explores themes that have long defined Kazmi’s work: perseverance, inclusion, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Through Selit’s character, audiences are introduced to the blind filmmaker’s world and discover that true vision has little to do with sight and everything to do with determination, creativity, and purpose.

During the festival, Kazmi spoke highly of Selit’s performance: “Maryse is truly stunning and possesses natural acting ability, along with a rare combination of intelligence, elegance, and authenticity,” he said, adding that he would be comfortable casting her in a leading role in a future project.

Indian actor and reality television star, Anuj Sachdeva, who portrays the character of the blind filmmaker in the Amazon Prime Series, also praised Selit’s work, describing her compelling performance as “mui bueno”.

Yet for Maryse perhaps the most revealing moment of the festival occurred away from the premieres, interviews, and red carpets.

Reflecting on Bombay Stories, Selit recalled watching the film privately for a second time with Kazmi and witnessing the emotional connection he maintained with the characters long after the film had ended.

“Rahhat’s films don’t simply tell stories about people on the margins of society,” she observed. “He makes audiences see their humanity. When I watched him become emotional about the characters and their struggles long after the credits had rolled, I realized this was genuine compassion and a real love for people—not just filmmaking.”

The observation speaks to the essence of Kazmi’s work. His films consistently challenge audiences to look beyond labels, stereotypes, and social divisions to recognize the humanity that connects us all. Whether exploring the lives of sex workers, people with disabilities, or others frequently overlooked by society, his storytelling seeks not merely to entertain but to inspire understanding and meaningful social dialogue.

It is this belief in storytelling as a vehicle for empathy and social change that ultimately connects Kazmi and Selit despite their different professional journeys in life. One arrived at Cannes as a filmmaker whose career has been dedicated to amplifying unheard voices. The other arrived as an accomplished attorney and model embracing a new chapter as an actor.

Together, their collaboration on Blind Frame and their presence at the World Premiere of Bombay Stories at Cannes reflected a shared vision—stories capable of challenging assumptions, fostering compassion, and reminding audiences of our common humanity.

As the curtain fell on yet another Cannes Film Festival, Kazmi and Selit left with more than memories of premieres and red carpets. They departed with a shared commitment to impactful social change through storytelling that gives voice to the unheard, celebrates our common humanity, and reminds audiences that the most powerful stories are often those that inspire us to see the world—and each other—with greater understanding and compassion.