Each year, the Government of Maharashtra selects a work of Marathi cinema for the Cannes’ Marche Du Film section.

The official selection for this year is Bittersweet, a drama about the emotional dilemma of women sugarcane workers in interior Maharashtra.

Bittersweet is written and directed by Ananth Mahadevan. It is produced by Suchhanda Chatterjee and Shubha Shetty of Quest Films. It had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival.

Ananth’s previous film, Mai Ghat, was also selected for the Marche Du Film section last year.

“The Maharashtra Government’s selection of BITTERSWEET holds great significance as the film has been selected by a high profile jury,” Ananth shared. “To be selected as the best to represent India in the world’s most important festival is indeed an honour. Especially when it comes in the wake of Mai Ghat being sent last year by the Information & Broadcasting, making it two years in a row.”