Actor Johnny Depp who made a power-packed comeback at Cannes 2023 with the historical drama Jeanne Du Barry received a seven-minute standing ovation for his performance.
According to a Variety report, the actor, who hasn't been seen in public since his long court fight with ex-girlfriend Amber Heard in 2022, received an enthusiastic seven-minute standing ovation on Tuesday night at the Cannes Film Festival's opening night picture Jeanne Du Barry'.
Depp held back tears as the audience in the south of France applauded his portrayal as King Louis XV.
Maiwenn, the film's director and star, burst into tears when she briefly took the stage. "I want to share this moment with my lover, producer, and Le Pacte," she explained. "It was a challenging production to fund... and I'd like to share this moment with my entire crew throughout the theatre."
Depp arrived in Cannes to the cheers of thousands of admirers, who held placards outside the Palais and shook as they sought to touch their idol. Many people were able to speak with Depp, who managed the fan queue outside for five minutes before walking the carpet.
Jeanne du Barry stars Maiwenn as Jeanne Vaubernier, a working-class lady in 18th-century France who rises through the social levels and falls in love with King Louis XV. Her working-class upbringing makes her a social outcast at the king's court. Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Melvil Poupaud, and Pascal Greggory are among the supporting actors.
As per Variety, Maiwenn's latest sparked debate long before it premiered at Cannes. The film is Depp's most high-profile engaging appearance since his divorce from ex-wife Amber Heard was settled in 2022. Despite the fact that the jury ruled in Depp's favour, the actor remains on the fringes of Hollywood due to abuse charges that arose during the trial. Thierry Fremaux, the festival's director, talked to the press ahead of the opening night and addressed Depp's participation in Cannes.
Fremaux said, "I don't know about the image of Johnny Depp in the U.S. To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule: It's the freedom of thinking, and the freedom of speech and acting within a legal framework. If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a film, or the film was banned, we wouldn't be here talking about it."
"This [controversy] came up once the film was announced at Cannes because everybody knew Johnny had made a film in France...I don't know why she chose him but it's a question you should ask Maiwenn. As for the rest, I'm the last person to be able to discuss all this. If there's one person in this world who didn't find the least interest in this very publicized trial, it's me. I don't know what it's about. I also care about Johnny Depp as an actor," he added.
The actor was well received by the audience present at the festival. Fans went crazy for getting autographs signed by the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
Jeanne Du Barry which got its world premiere at the Cannes market is seeking U.S. distribution at the festival.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.