Salim Ahamed, one of Malayalam cinema's most respected filmmakers, has announced his fifth feature film 'LEFTOVER' at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, operating from Booth Palais -1, 27.03. Ahamed gained national recognition with his debut 'Adaminte Makan Abu' (Abu, Son of Adam), which won four National Film Awards and was India's official entry to the Academy Awards. He later directed acclaimed films such as 'Pathemari', 'Kunjananthante Kada', and 'And The Oscar Goes To...'.
Salim Ahamed Opens Up About 'LEFTOVER'
With 'LEFTOVER', the director returns to a deeply human story. In a chat with ETimes, Salim Ahamed shared the inspiration behind the film. He said, "LEFTOVER emerged from observing people who carry uncertainty, hope, and dignity through the emotional and economic realities of everyday life. While the film is deeply rooted in its own cultural landscape, the emotions and relationships within it can travel across borders. I wanted to tell this story in a way that remains emotionally honest while still connecting with audiences through strong characters, human drama, and cinematic experience."
Ensemble Cast and Experienced Crew in 'LEFTOVER'
'LEFTOVER' features a strong ensemble cast including Arjun Radhakrishnan, Zarin Shihab, Tanmay Dhanania, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Roshan Mathew. The screenplay is written by Salim Ahamed and P. V. Shajikumar. The technical team includes cinematographer Sharan Velayudhan, editor A. Sreekar Prasad, and music composer Christo Xavier.
Meanwhile, Semmalar Annam's 'MAYILAA' was screened at the 2026 Marché du Film in Cannes on May 12 at Lérins Cinéma Club. 'MAYILAA' recently had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and won the Audience Award at the Toulouse Indian Film Festival.
World Premiere Details
The world premiere of 'LEFTOVER' will be announced in the coming weeks. Salim Ahamed's last film was the Tovino Thomas starrer 'And The Oscar Goes To...'.
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