Bhubaneswar: The Cannes Film Festival remains a dazzling convergence of cinematic excellence and bold sartorial statements. In 2026, Indian actors, influencers, and artists leveraged the prestigious red carpet to champion the country’s rich textile heritage and cultural narratives, blending centuries-old traditions with contemporary glamour. From Rajasthan’s regal poshak to Maharashtra’s iconic Nauvari drape, these looks not only celebrated craftsmanship but also sparked conversations around identity, empowerment, and faith.
Alia Bhatt in Ivory Saree-Gown
Bollywood star and L’Oréal Paris Global Ambassador Alia Bhatt shone on the second day while inaugurating the Bharat Pavilion. She wore a custom ivory saree-gown by Tarun Tahiliani that fused sculptural corsetry with fluid pre-structured drapes, soft cowl details, an elongated train, and a Chanderi dhoti skirt. She accentuated her look with a bindi, a nose ring, jhumka earrings and a haathphool, giving a shoutout to traditional Indian jewellery.
Prajakta Mali’s Maharashtrian Elegance
Marathi cinema actress Prajakta Mali proudly showcased the Nauvari saree in striking blue and purple tones. She accessorized with a classic Marathi Nath nose ring, layered gold jewellery including a choker, bangles, kamarbandh, and traditional hair ornaments. Her neatly tied bun and bindi added an authentic regional touch to this timeless drape.
Ruchi Gujjar’s Powerful Ghunghat Statement
Influencer and actor Ruchi Gujjar stole the spotlight in a vibrant pink Rajasthani poshak lehenga featuring intricate silver zari embroidery by designer Roopa Sharma. She paired the ensemble with heavy traditional jewellery, stacked bangles, and a translucent ghunghat-inspired veil partially covering her face. Far from mere aesthetics, Gujjar framed the look as a protest against forced ghunghat practices still prevalent in parts of rural India. “My ghunghat is not silence—it is resistance,” she declared, turning a symbol of concealment into one of agency and choice
Aarti Khetarpal’s Devotional Vrindavan Lehenga
Artist and influencer Aarti Khetarpal, known for her contribution to the Grammy-nominated album Sounds Of Kumbha, represented her Vaishnav faith with pride. Her mustard-yellow lehenga by Sulakshana Monga featured hand-painted Vrindavan-inspired art, an embroidered blouse, and dupatta. She complemented the look with a green meenakari necklace, statement earrings, a kada, her Krishna bag, a pocket-sized Bhagavad Gita, and a Tulsi kanthi mala.
Roopi Gill in Custom Punjabi Attire
Punjabi actress Roopinder Kaur Gill (Roopi Gill) promoted her film ‘Chardikala’ in a custom ivory ensemble by the designer label Pitambara by Manisha. The outfit included an embroidered kurti with crescent moon and lotus motifs, with the word ‘Chardikala’ embroidered in Gurmukhi on the sleeve, dhoti-style pyjama, and two dupattas, one honouring Punjab’s agricultural roots with wheat embroidery and the other featuring chakra designs. She accessorised with kundan jewellery, haathphool, a silver kada, and stunning ivory jutti.
Diana Penty’s Glamorous Gold Saree
Bollywood actress Diana Penty made a glamorous comeback to Cannes 2026, captivating all with her stunning custom golden saree by Manish Malhotra at the Bharat Pavilion. The textured fabric evoked armour-like chainmail, paired with a sculptural blouse featuring dramatic puffed sleeves. Tourmaline and polki earrings added the perfect finishing sparkle to this contemporary take on traditional draping.
Aditi Rao Hydari’s Minimalist Ivory Saree
Aditi Rao Hydari embodied old-world charm in an exquisite ivory saree by the label JADE by designers Monica and Karishma. The piece featured delicate rhinestone embellishments and intricate embroidery, styled with a daring beige plunging-neckline blouse. She opted for a minimalist jewellery approach with a gold choker and stacked rings, skipping earrings and bangles entirely, for understated sophistication.
