SRINAGAR: Kashmiri actor and associate director Bilal Baghat has brought the essence of Kashmir’s rich artistic heritage to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival with the screening of Bombay Stories, a film inspired by the legendary writings of Saadat Hasan Manto.
Bombay Stories, adapted from Bombay Stories of Manto, is directed by noted filmmaker Rahhat Shah Kazmi and features actors Mouni Roy, Anupriya Goenka, Sushmita Singh, Rahul Sudhir, Shoib Nikash Shah and Kazmi himself.
Bilal Baghat belongs to a traditional performing gharana from Wathora in Kashmir and is deeply rooted in the centuries-old Bhaand Pather folk theatre tradition. Trained as a Bhaand actor and performer, his artistic journey draws from Kashmir’s indigenous storytelling culture shaped by satire, music and theatrical performance over generations.
Over the years, Baghat has worked extensively in cinema both as an actor and assistant director, creating a body of work that bridges folk traditions with contemporary visual storytelling. His contribution to modern theatre has also received recognition, particularly for his acclaimed portrayal of Macbeth in Maag, a Kashmiri adaptation of Shakespeare that toured multiple venues.
Adding a distinct cultural dimension to his Cannes appearance, Baghat walked the red carpet wearing traditional Kashmiri attire, a classic pheran paired with a Karakul cap and a Pashmina shawl, reflecting Kashmir’s cultural identity and craftsmanship on one of the world’s most celebrated cinematic platforms.
His participation at Cannes is being viewed as more than a personal achievement, symbolising the growing presence of Kashmir’s indigenous artistic traditions in international cinema. From the intimate spaces of Kashmiri folk theatre to the global red carpet at Cannes, Baghat’s journey reflects the continuing relevance of rooted storytelling in contemporary world cinema.
Speaking about the experience, Baghat described it as “a moment where the stories of our ancestors meet the language of modern cinema.”
With Bombay Stories reaching international audiences, Bilal Baghat has emerged as a cultural voice representing Kashmir’s artistic heritage while engaging with the evolving landscape of global cinema.
