Mumbai: "Masaan" starring Sanjay Mishra and Richa Chadha is ready to release in India on July 24. Director Neeraj Ghaywan, however, says an India release would have been difficult had the film not won awards at the prestigious Cannes film festival.

"We didn't go to Cannes just to gain some appreciation and come back. We received tremendous buzz due to our Cannes victory and without this, perhaps we couldn't have released the film," Neeraj told the media at the trailer launch of the film.

"Secondly, the win helped us sell the film in various countries which is a necessity for a film like 'Masaan'.

Stating that film festivals were "not just mediums to showcase your films", he said: "It's also a market like the Marche Du Film in Cannes, where your film will be screened to numerous buyers from places like Spain, Italy among others. And a lot of these buyers have already bought 'Masaan' and will release it in those countries."

The film bagged two awards at Cannes, including a debut director award for Neeraj.

(IANS)