Overview
- Roy became the first Indian to claim the Orizzonti Best Director prize at the 82nd Venice Film Festival for Songs of Forgotten Trees.
- The Mumbai-set drama, presented by Anurag Kashyap and starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, follows two migrant women forging a bond.
- Jury head Julia Ducournau announced the award, with the film standing as the only Indian selection competing in the Orizzonti section this year.
- In her acceptance speech, Roy dedicated the honor to women worldwide and voiced solidarity with Palestinian children, saying every child deserves peace and freedom.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor C. V. Ananda Bose issued congratulations, while Roy’s parents defended her comments after social-media criticism at home.