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Irrfan Khan walks the red carpet in Cannes
23rd May 2007 09.00 IST
By Agencies

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan became the first Indian movie star to walk the hallowed red carpet in Cannes since Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai went up the steps of the Grand Theatre Lumiere for a special screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali ‘s Devdaas in 2002.

Irrfan, who plays a key role in Michael Winterbottom’s docu-drama style recreation of the abduction and killing of journalist Daniel Pearl, "A Mighty Heart," was alongside lead actress Angelina Jolie, producer Brad Pitt, director Winterbottom, actress Archie Panjabi and Mariane Pearl, on whose harrowing memoir the film is based.

The cast and crew of "A Mighty Heart" addressed a well-attended press conference in Cannes Monday after a photo call at the 60th Cannes Film Festival.

Irrfan was on the Croisette four years ago representing an Indian film (Ashvin Kumar’s Road to Ladakh) that was screened in the market. But this is the first time that he is in Cannes with a film in the official selection.

"A Mighty Heart" drew positive reviews after its special Out of Competition screening. "In his first studio venture. Michael Winterbottom coaxes forth a staggering wealth of detail from this terse, methodical account," a magazine wrote.

According to the critic of Screen International, the director "brings typical intelligence and urgency to A Mighty Heart."

While Jolie’s star turn as Mariane Pearl has garnered critical accolades in the words of one critic, "Jolie blends into the ensemble, beautifully underplaying her role" Irrfan, too, has attracted positive notices.

Screen International writes: "Irrfan Khan lends great authority to the role of the resolute investigator who was determined to find Pearl and secure his release."

"Being a part of ‘A Mighty Heart’ has been a great privilege," he told media persons.

"Just as exciting is the fact that I am here in Cannes today to represent a remarkable film." Irrfan, of course, has a bit of an international following thanks to Aasif Kapadia’s "The Warrior," which won a BAFTA, and Mira Nair ‘s The Namesake .

About the experience of working with Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, he said he was impressed with her commitment and professionalism. "She would insist on doing multiple takes of a shot until she was fully satisfied with her work," he added.

Narrated entirely from Mariane Pearl’s perspective, the story is focussed completely on the star presence of the luminous Jolie.

She does a competent job all right, but the real drama inherent in the story of an intrepid journalist who, in his wife’s words, "didn’t represent a country or a flag, just the pursuit of truth" is probably lost a tad in the process.

But "A Mighty Heart," when it opens in the US in late June and in the rest of the world in September, could benefit immensely from the fact that a star of the stature of Jolie heads the cast.

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