The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 16 at the French Riviera. One of the year's biggest entertainment and fashion events, the festival is renowned for celebrating outstanding cinema while delivering some of the grandest red carpet-looks. Some of the most anticipated movies have premiered or are set to premiere at the film festival this year, Including ‘Jeanne du Barry,’ Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City,’ and Martin Scorcese’s new Apple-backed film ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’
Every year, Indian stars present their fashionable best on the red carpet. Bollywood actors Sara Ali Khan, Manushi Chhillar, and Esha Gupta made their Cannes debut in glamorous appearances. Esha donned a pastel pink gown designed by Nicolas Jebran Couture and looked chic, Sara chose to go traditional with an ivory and beige Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla lehenga. Meanwhile, the former Miss World Chhillar representing Walker’s Co., stunned in a white tulle gown by fashion designer house Fovari.
Another Cannes debutant, actor Urvashi Rautela appeared in a bright orange ruffled dress with a jewelled bodice on day two. She had flaunted a pink gown at the opening ceremony. The festival's third day featured the most-anticipated appearance of Cannes veteran Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She arrived for the ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ screening in a dramatic silver gown with a behemoth silver hood and black bow.
Aman Gupta is the first Indian entrepreneur to walk the red carpet
Shark Tank India judge Aman Gupta achieved a historic feat as he walked the red carpet alongside his wife, Priya Dagar. One of the most popular Indian entrepreneurs, he is the co-founder and CMO of boAt. He took to his social media to express his excitement about participating in the event.
Sharing photos and videos from the event, he wrote, “THIS IS IT. Proud to be the first Entrepreneur from India to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Sometimes you dream and they come true. Sometimes you don’t even know what God has in store for you. I didn’t dream about this one. But now that I'm living it the feeling is surreal. Thank you God. Thank you Life. Had always seen Aishwarya Rai or other celebs here at the Red Carpet. But never knew I would get this opportunity too. If I CAN, so CAN you.”
Guneet Monga, Vijay Varma and Sara attend the Indian Pavilion
Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting L Murugan inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at Cannes this year. Among those present included Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, actors Vijay Varma and Sara Ali Khan. The celebrities spoke about the Indian Film industry and its progress on global platforms.
The Indian Pavilion educates the world on India's rich culture, heritage, and burgeoning creative economy. Indian Ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, was present on the occasion.
Digital influencers rock the red carpet
This year's festival presented a major opportunity for Indian celebrities besides actors. Several social media influencers and divas debuted on the coveted red carpet, turning heads with their looks.
UAE-based Indian influencer and entrepreneur Masoom Minawala dazzled in a statement gown by Marmar Halim. Styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, her black velvet silhouette with ruffled white detailing was paired with matching gloves and jewellery. Dolly Singh chose an Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla outfit. Inspired by Zeenat Aman’s look from the 1978 film ‘Satyam Shiva Sundaram’ her outfit included an elegant conical blouse embellished with pearls and an ivory sarong skirt.
Indian Chef Prateek Sadhu prepares exceptional inaugural dinner
Indian food had its moment of glory at the festival this year. Renowned Indian chef Prateek Sadhu was invited to the festival to curate an exceptional dining experience in collaboration with Godawan Single Malt for the inaugural dinner hosted by Dr L Murugan.
Sadhu expressed his joy about displaying Indian culinary traditions at the Cannes Film Festival in an Instagram post. He wrote, “Honoured to be repping India and host the inaugural dinner for The Honourable Minister at the Cannes Film Festival. Excited to showcase my language for Indian food with this menu and collaborate with Diageo India and @godawansinglemalt. More on what’s cooking later.”
The inaugural dinner shared the story of the chef’s travels across India. It included six to seven courses emphasising regional specialties and flavours from around India. It is reported that Sadhu brought with him 80 kg of Indian spices and pickles. Titled ‘The Journey Menu,’ it commemorated the International Year of Millets and showcased India’s culinary diversity. The menu was divided into regional delicacies. It included Tungrymbai, Putharo, Prawn Ishtu, Vattayappam, white asparagus pepper fry, smoked lamb, Koshimbir salad, Malvani-styled fish, achar granita, strawberry pickle, aam papad, Kalakand ice cream and Kashmiri badam mithai.
Michael Douglas wants to visit Hyderabad, Goa with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones
Hollywood’s Michael Douglas, who received the honorary Palme d’Or at the festival, was also felicitated at the India Pavilion. He attended a session with Murugan, where he received an invitation to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, which will be held in November.
Douglas said he has been to India with his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. He added that she loves the country and is a “pretty good Bollywood dancer.” Michael also said that wants to visit south of India on his next trip. He wants to cover the area from “Hyderabad to Goa.”
“I have been to India now three times. I always had a wonderful, wonderful experience. I have been very impressed with the energy, the imagination, and the creativity. As somebody, who watches the news and current events, India is hot. India is rocking. You can see it's moving... Actually my wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) will be sad as she is not here (at India Pavilion) because she loves India and she is a pretty good Bollywood dancer, too. We have not been down south. So, we want to go to south from Hyderabad to Goa, to go around that area on our next trip,” Michael said at the event.
