Indian celebrities and personalities have lent their star power to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet over the years, and this year a number of Bollywood's new-generation actors also made their debut.
On May 20, Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa attended the premiere of French thriller Vie Privee (A Private Life). They are the stars of acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's film Homebound, which had its premiere at the festival's Un Certain Regard section, and is one of only two Indian films competing this year.
For her first Cannes outing, Kapoor wore a custom pink ensemble by Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani. Featuring a handwoven “tissue skirt and corset”, the hand-crushed fabric, crafted in the textile city of Benares, was an ode to Indian craftsmanship.
Kapoor finished her look with jewellery by Chopard.
Her co-star Khatter, known to international audiences for his role in Netflix show The Perfect Couple, chose a sharp bandhgala suit by couturier Gaurav Gupta. The custom maroon velvet suit featured knot embroidery on the front.
On May 21, Cannes veteran Aishwarya Rai Bachchan returned to the festival as L'Oreal ambassador. Styled by famed Indian designer Manish Malhotra, the Bollywood star honoured her Indian heritage in a handwoven Banarasi sari – known for its exquisite embroidery. Rai Bachchan draped her sari with a handwoven dupatta, edged with real gold and silver zardozi embroidery, finishing her look with jewellery by Manish Malhotra as well as sporting sindoor, the red powder typically worn by married women in India, in her hairline.
One of India's most beloved stars, Rai Bachchan, who has also served as jury member at Cannes in 2003, returned the following night in a black custom Gaurav Gupta gown. She completed her look with a Banarasi brocade cape enveloping her.
Handwoven in Varanasi, the cape featured verses from the holy Hindu scripture the Bhagavad Gita.
Rising star Nitanshi Goel, who most recently appeared in the acclaimed film Laapata Ladies, also made her Cannes debut as L'Oreal ambassador. Wearing a custom gown by Jade, the label by Indian designers Monica Shah and Karishma Swali, Goel's dress featured a sculpted black corset with a dramatic cage skirt decorated with embroidery.
Dubai resident and former Mrs UAE World Debanjali Kamstra, who made her acting debut in the short film 30 Days of Autumn, walked the red carpet on May 19.
Designed by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco, Kamstra's striking off-shoulder brown ball gown featured shimmering gold leaf applique.
Speaking to The National ahead of her film's premiere at the Cannes film market Marche du Film, Kamstra, who runs a number of businesses in the UAE, says making her acting debut was the realisation of a childhood dream.
Cinco, a Cannes red carpet regular, also dressed Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela earlier in the week.
Walking the red carpet on the opening night of the festival on May 13, Rautela's dress was inspired by the mosaics of Mexican art and featured a bustle at the hip, led by a dramatic train in tulle.
It's also a Cannes first for Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, also a L'Oreal ambassador, appearing at the fag end of the festival.
Bhatt chose Schiaparelli for debut – a pale pink number featuring intricate floral embroidery and organza work.
The acclaimed actress returned the following night, at the festival's closing ceremony in a bejewelled number by Gucci.
Bhatt, who was named the first Indian Gucci ambassador, arrived in a custom sari embroidered with crystals in the Italian fashion house's GG Monogram pattern.
