The Cannes Film Festival laid down the red carpet on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Over the next 12 days, 21 films will compete for the festival’s prestigious top prize, the Palme d’Or, along with some high profile Hollywood images. .
Deepika Padukone wore a dazzling black and gold striped saree by Sabyasachi on the red carpet at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, channeling a retro desi aesthetic inspired by the Bengal tiger. Her appearance was quite remarkable and was praised by all. It wasn’t the first time she wore a saree on an international stage like Cannes; in 2012, she made her red carpet debut in a sari.
We’ve created a list of Bollywood actors who have worn sarees on the Cannes red carpet and redefined traditional Indian craft practices, or sarees, as contemporary fashion. They have also led to a growing acceptance of Indian ethnic/fusion fashion as a paradigm shift in understanding and creating a sense of belonging, as well as fostering a sense of fashion that transcends cultures.
Bollywood Actors Who Donned Saree On The Cannes Red Carpet:
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The actor has walked the Cannes red carpet for the past 20 years. He was on the red carpet for the premiere of Devdas in 2002, Bachchan made her red carpet debut. For the occasion, she wore a mustard yellow Neeta Lulla saree. She wore sarees on several occasions in the years that followed. From the dazzling gold drape of Tarun Tahiliani to the stunning green silk Kanjeevaram of the same designer.
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut represented India at the annual Cannes Film Festival for two years and didn’t miss an opportunity to bring an Indian saree to the French city every time. In 2018, she wore a hand-cut Sabyasachi black sequined saree and matching sleeveless blouse on the red carpet. She accessorized with a potli handbag and a vintage-inspired hairstyle. She then performed in a golden Kanjeevaram saree from the Madhurya label in 2019, pairing it with a bespoke embellished gold corset by Falguni & Shane Peacock and wine-red opera gloves.
Suggested reading: Cannes 2022: actors Deepika and Tamannaah perform at the inauguration of the India pavilion
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor has established herself in Cannes over the years, and when it comes to sarees, she has stylized the traditional costume many times, but with a few twists, such as fused drapes and structured pallus. The gold and white fusion Anamika Khanna saree, complete with jacket and nath (nose accessory), is still one of her most memorable outfits. In 2013, she wore it to the premiere of Gatsby the magnificent. For the second time from Anamika Khanna, Kapoor donned a salmon pink cape-style silk saree highlighted with elaborate embroidery, a matching top and a striking choker.
Deepika Padukone
Padukone made her red carpet debut at the annual event in 2010, wearing an ivory and gold saree by designer Rohit Bal for the 63rd annual film festival. A sleek bun, tiny golden diamonds and an embellished sleeveless top completed her look. At Cannes 2022, the actor wore a Sabyasachi black and gold saree. Her look was completed with a gold headband and kohl eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. Her bold eye makeup created a lot of buzz on social media as many called her Indian Julia Fox.
Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan has donned outfits designed by Sabyasachi for all of her red carpet appearances at the Cannes Film Festival, and the results have always been impressive. Balan once wore a green silk sari with a red blouse and intricate gold jewelry. She also wore a red tulle saree with a matching red blouse with long sleeves, a pearl necklace and minimal accessories, and a white and gold drape with a black blouse.
Diana Penty also wore a statement saree at Cannes in 2019, while Richa Chadha wore a pastel green floral print saree by designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to the screening of Massaan in 2015. Not to mention that Indian actresses have been going to the Cannes Film Festival for many decades. When veteran actors like Shabana Azmi and her contemporaries started representing Indian cinema at the international event, they always wore sarees in the most elegant way. Over time, the saree on the red carpet evolved, it was transformed into a fusion outfit reflecting modern India and its new era fashion sense, but the saree never left the red carpet and, at Judging by its current appearance, it’s expected to keep coming back no matter the shape or drape.
