Hit and miss: Indian stars grace the coveted Cannes red carpet

The looks are diverse, but also divisive

The glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival kicked off with a star-studded red carpet event as Indian cinema actors Sara Ali Khan, Esha Gupta, Manushi Chhillar, and former cricketer Anil Kumble made their appearances. The 76th edition of the prestigious festival opened with the premiere of the Louis XV period drama Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp.

Khan's attempt

The Gaslight star chose to grace the occasion in an Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla lehenga, complemented by a matching blouse and a gracefully trailing dupatta. The lehenga featured delicate embroidery and embellishments, showcasing the craftsmanship of the designers. The ensemble perfectly accentuated her figure while exuding a sense of royalty. For jewellery, Khan opted for statement earrings, and a delicate bracelet adorned her wrist.

Unfortunately, the highly anticipated ensemble did not live up to the hype. While the potential for the look to be a hit was evident, and the significance of donning traditional attire to a global event cannot be understated, lackluster styling and Khan's failure to carry the dress well came across as a disappointment. 

Gupta's look

Gupta, (of Femina Miss India pageant in 2007 fame) appeared ethereal in a white satin gown by Nicholas Jebran Couture, adorned with captivating collars that gracefully descended into a plunging neckline, delicately veiled by sheer mesh accents. The mesh fabric was intricately embellished with white floral patterns. The gown featured a wrap-style waist and elegantly cascaded into a floor-length silhouette with subtle pleats and a daring high slit on one side. 

Gupta styled her hair in an elegant bun, complementing her look. Her makeup consisted of neutral eyeshadow, precise black eyeliner, voluminous lashes coated with mascara, well-defined eyebrows, softly contoured cheeks, and a touch of maroon lipstick, completing her enchanting appearance.

Chhillar in white

Chhillar stunned in a white tulle gown. Representing Walkers and Co, a brand dedicated to providing a global platform for talented young creators, she served as the muse for fashion designer house Fovari, who designed the breathtaking gown. The white gown showcased off-shoulder details, corset accents, a plunging neckline, and a long train made of white tulle with intricate frill details. Chhillar opted for loose, wavy curls and a middle part in her hair, keeping her makeup minimal. 

Notable mentions

Leading the Indian delegation to Cannes 2023 is Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan. The delegation also includes Oscar winner Guneet Mongia and actors Chillar, Gupta, and Kangabam Tomba. Anushka Sharma will also be making her Cannes debut this year, joining Hollywood star Kate Winslet to honour women in cinema. 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a regular at Cannes, has also made her way to the film festival. Other notable attendees include Madhur Bhandarkar, Mrunal Thakur, Aditi Rao Hydari, Vijay Varma, Vignesh Shivan, Niharika NM, Ruhee Dosani, Ranveer Allahbadia, and Dolly Singh.

Several Indian films are part of the Cannes showcase. Anurag Kashyap's Kennedy, Kanu Behl's Agra, Yudhajit Basu's Nehemich, and Aribam Syam Sharma's Ishanou will be featured in different sections of the festival, including the Directors' Fortnight, Midnight Screenings, La Cinef, and Cannes Classics.

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