The hoopla over Indian celebrities and films at Cannes overshadows the harsh reality that it has been 19 years since any Indian film has made it to the Palme d'Or or the Golden Palm section of the prestigious film fest.

Prominent filmmakers cite the race for clicking at the box office rather than aesthetics as the reason for the dismal performance by one of the most prolific film-producing nations in the world. But there is hope that the new breed of filmmakers will change the scenario and make global audiences connect with Indian celluloid stories.

Director Ritesh Batra's debut film "Dabba" (Lunchbox) has won the critics week viewers choice award at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival.

Produced by Anurag Kashyap, the film, featuring Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Nimrat Kaur, also received appreciation during the screening at the festival.

Even Anurag Kashyap, who was conferred with the French honour Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, posted on Twitter: "It's begun. 'Lunchbox' wins critics week viewers choice award. It's called the Golden Rail or something. Yay."

Tamil actor Karthi Sivakumar, who will turn 35 Saturday, will spend his birthday on the sets of his upcoming Tamil comedy "All In All Azhagu Raja" (AIAAR).

"We are currently shooting the second schedule of the film in Kumbakonam. Karthi will celebrate his birthday on the sets with the entire crew... and we have planned for a small party for him in the evening," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

Back home, in Chennai, members of Karthi's fans' club plan to celebrate by indulging in some charity.

Actress Shruti Haasan enjoys acting but, unlike her father Kamal Haasan, she isn't too keen on film direction. However, writing for films is something she won't mind in future.

"Everyone says, 'I want to become director'. It is easy to be a director, but it is very difficult to be a good director. I haven't thought about it. I like writing though. That is something I enjoy the most. I have plans, but let's see," Shruti told IANS.