By: Vibhuti Pathak
The Cannes 2025 Film Festival saw a striking presence from Indian celebrities who didn’t just walk the red carpet—they owned it. From veteran queens of the event to exciting debutantes, here’s how the stars dazzled with culture-rooted couture and international flair.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Cannes veteran, once again made headlines with her effortlessly regal presence. She graced the red carpet in a custom Banarasi silk sari by Manish Malhotra paired with a ruby-studded necklace. In a second appearance, she turned heads in a dramatic Gaurav Gupta creation—a sculpted black velvet gown draped with a brocade cape that paid tribute to Indian handloom traditions.
Alia Bhatt
Marking her much-anticipated debut, Alia Bhatt embraced a delicate yet confident look. Her first red carpet appearance featured a Schiaparelli ivory mermaid gown with floral appliqués. For the premiere night, she wore a navy blue embellished Armani Privé gown, adding a monogrammed Gucci ensemble to her Cannes diary, making her debut both glamorous and globally stylish.
Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor opted for elegance with a modern Indian twist. She wore a blush pink lehenga-style gown designed by Tarun Tahiliani, featuring intricate embroidery and structured draping. Her second look, a mint green backless ensemble from Anamika Khanna, mixed tradition and sensuality. A fashion favorite, Janhvi also sported a rare vintage YSL jacket from 1989 for a press appearance.
Ishaan Khatter
Ishaan Khatter’s fashion moment brought Indo-western menswear into the spotlight. His maroon Gaurav Gupta bandhgala with black zardozi embroidery was both royal and futuristic. Another look saw him in a sepia-toned vintage Armani vest and trousers—cool, confident, and edgy.
Aditi Rao Hydari
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Aditi Rao Hydari radiated grace in an ombré Rahul Mishra gown with nature-inspired embroidery. Her look was elevated with a statement diamond necklace from Chopard, embodying the essence of subtle glamour and Indian craftsmanship.
Natasha Poonawalla
Fashion icon Natasha Poonawalla stood out with her bold Dior dress from John Galliano’s India-inspired collection. She layered it with a Galliano FW02 jacket featuring traditional motifs—an avant-garde, maximalist statement that received global praise.
Karan Johar stayed true to his flamboyant yet refined style. For the opening night, he wore a custom Manish Malhotra ensemble, followed by a floral embroidered three-piece by Rohit Bal. His looks exuded luxury with a hint of vintage Bollywood flair.
Vishal Jethwa
Vishal Jethwa, making his Cannes debut, stunned in a sleek black Kaushik Velendra pantsuit with gold-embellished shoulders and a striking bird-shaped brooch symbolizing freedom and creativity.
Nitanshi Goel
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Young actress Nitanshi Goel, just 17, impressed in a black strapless gown by Jade with golden kasab work, gracefully blending youth and tradition.
Sunny Hinduja chose a more classic route in a sharp tuxedo by Raghavendra Rathore, his embroidered lapels adding a subtle yet regal Indian touch, perfectly representing the indie cinema wave.