Hyderabad's Pride: Mohammad Ali Baig's 'Chand Tara' Set for Cannes Debut

Hyderabad's celebrated theatre personality and Padma Shri awardee Mohammad Ali Baig is set to make his feature film debut with "Chand Tara," which will have its international trailer premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 on May 18. This marks a significant moment for both Hyderabad and Telangana's cultural legacy on the global stage.

In an exclusive interview with The Siasat Daily, Baig described the Cannes selection as "extremely fulfilling," viewing it as a proud moment for Hyderabad's heritage. He explained that his work in theatre, modeled on his late father Qadir Ali Baig's legacy, has always been heritage-oriented and history-oriented. Baig noted that his journey has come full circle, as his first foreign festival was in France, with an earlier theatre production on the Qutub Shahi dynasty premiering at the Edinburgh Festival.

"Chand Tara" is inspired by the legendary tale of 17th-century singer-dancer Taramati and Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah, bringing the magnificence of the Qutub Shahi era alive on screen. Ranjana Srivastava plays Taramati, while Baig essays Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah. The film features veteran actors Anupam Kher and Mohan Agashe in pivotal roles. Baig described the film as "a different kind of love story" about two artists—a poet and a singer—representing "love beyond romance."

Extensive research went into recreating the Qutub Shahi era accurately, including costumes, decor, music, ragas, instruments, and dance forms. The musical landscape brings together composer Karthik Ilaiyaraaja with singers Lucky Ali and Vasundhara Das. One featured song, "Piya Baaj Piyala," was originally written by King Quli Qutub Shah. The film is co-produced by Telangana Tourism and HMDA, showcasing the state's efforts to present Deccan's artistic heritage internationally.