Jafar Panahi’s ‘Un simple accident’ (It Was an Accident) took home the prestigious Palme d’Or as the Cannes Film Festival 2025 drew to a close. This year’s edition was a vibrant mix of bold colours, deeply rooted narratives, and powerful emotions.
Alongside cinematic brilliance, fashion remained a constant showstopper, turning the red carpet into a runway of global style and statement-making moments.
Karan Johar’s Homebound starring Ishaan Khattar, Jahnvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa getting a 9-minute standing ovation can be considered as this year’s one of the greatest achievements.
British-Indian actress Simone Ashley, best known for her standout role in the hit period drama ‘Bridgerton’, made a stunning entrance at Cannes as a co-ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. Joining fellow ambassador Alia Bhatt, the two shared a heartwarming moment on the red carpet, capturing the spotlight with their grace and camaraderie.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan once again cemented her status as a global style icon, dazzling in a breathtaking handwoven kadwa Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra. Adding to the Indian spotlight at Cannes, veteran actor-director Anupam Kher made his festival debut with his second directorial venture, ‘Tanvi the Great’, which received an enthusiastic and heartfelt response from the audience.
Aditi Rao Hydari turned heads on her second day at Cannes in a red Raw Mango silk saree with a bold cobalt blue border, elegantly finished with a deep red bindi and sindoor for a traditional touch.
Assamese filmmaker Urmimala Boruah and actress Snigdha Baruah made history as Cannes’ first mother-daughter duo on the red carpet. Urmimala wore a banyan tree-inspired Phan Huy gown, while Snigdha dazzled in a bamboo-crafted fan design by the same label.
Stellar debut of Alia Bhatt
and Janhvi Kapoor
Alia Bhatt lit up this year’s Cannes Festival as L’Oréal Paris’s brand ambassador, proving she was made for the red carpet. But it was her final look that truly made headlines—the National Award-winning actress stunned the fashion world by debuting Gucci’s first-ever saree.
This groundbreaking ensemble marked a significant moment for both the luxury fashion house and the global celebration of Indian heritage. Designed exclusively for Alia, the saree was more than just a garment—it was a fusion masterpiece. Adorned with Gucci’s iconic monogram and shimmering Swarovski crystals, it reimagined tradition with a sleek, modern drape, seamlessly blending the timeless elegance of Indian attire with Gucci’s bold, avant-garde aesthetic.
Janhvi Kapoor, who also made her debut this year with the film Homebound, stood out for her timeless fashion choices—from Tarun Tahiliani’s designer saree to vintage Dior, blending tradition with elegance and transformation. For the film premiere, she wore a custom Anamika Khanna ensemble featuring a gold embroidered open-back top and a mint green skirt. Draped across her back was a statement necklace combining archival Indian jewels with custom jade and jadau elements. She completed the look with mint-accented jhumkas and chunky bracelets. She was spotted in the Maison wearing an archival YSL gown from the 1975 Rive Gauche collection, reaffirming her flair for vintage style.
Kalki lehengas making a statement
Kalki lehengas which beautifully embodied the tradition along with fashion set the red carpet on fire. It came into the scene as a cultural statement as everything resonated a greater statement that India has come, and it’s here with an unparalleled grace.
Celebrities like Sarah Sarosh, Masoom Minawala, Parul Gulati all were making a fashion statement with astonishing Kalki lehengas. Masoom’s skirt had ‘sheesh embroidery’ which is a cultural adaptation from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Parul’s clothes which were dipped in resin and lacquered to her body was a masterpiece from Mohit Rai. Kalki lehengas are fusion wears blended high fashion with ease, openly paying reverence to Indian craft.
Eco-revolution on the red carpet
Indian women are taking the message of the climate crisis through fashion. Mrs India title winner and founder of Mr femme fashion international Mohini Sharma and Mrs India runner up Juhi Vyas entered the carpet with a purpose. The increasing global warming issues were reflecting through their attires. The bold gowns highlighted heatwaves, oceans and climate changes amplifying the green peace campaign.
Juhi stated that she chose to wear the crisis dress because too many people live it every day. And she walks with Greenpeace India to demand justice, holding polluters accountable, and act before the heat becomes people’s silence. Mohini on the other hand, with her glacier-blue gown symbolising the oceans mentioned her gown reflects the oceans, serene on the surface, but struggling beneath. The duo's fashion statement urges world nations to start working fast regarding these matters.
Prit Kamani makes history
With his debut film in Cannes, The Storm, The Calm, The Madness, The Magic, Prit Kamani breaks new ground as the first Indian film to be part of the top 8 films of the straight eight segment in 25 years history. Kamani said he was extremely happy. Not because they gained something, but because they did something which got recognition by stating the achievement as fulfilling.