Cannes 2026: Meet FTII’s Mehar Malhotra, whose Punjabi short is India’s only film in competition
Mehar Malhotra, a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, has had her short film selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film explores the lives of a displaced family living in urban Pune.
Why it matters
Represents a significant achievement for Indian independent cinema on the global stage and highlights the creative output of the FTII.
On some days, she feels low, with zero energy, and takes longer to do simple tasks. On other days, she’s energetic, makes a lot of impulsive decisions, and is chasing the next big project. Recently diagnosed as neurodivergent, an upbeat Mehar Malhotra, 26, who calls herself “neurospicy” instead, says filmmaking is her therapy. On the set, she isn’t impulsive. The process of creating gives her the dopamine boost she seeks on most days.
The article is a straightforward profile of a filmmaker and her professional achievement.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in