India makes a mark at Cannes Lions 2018, but still a long way to go

Two Grand Prix trophies bagged for the first time, but the Lions scorecard down to 21 from 40 last year

The 65th edition of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity ended on a high note on Friday with India taking home 21 Lions, including two Grand Prix trophies. The performance, coming after the record 40-Lion-haul in 2017, settles the debate about India's position at the global advertisement show.

Praful Akali, founder and managing director at Medulla Communications, a Mumbai-based health care agency, said, "India has arrived. And it has arrived for good."   

Coming into the festival with a strong body of work spread across agencies, India began well with four Lions, including its first Grand Prix of the week,