- Thursday, May 22, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
While glitzy diamonds dazzled at Cannes 2025, one Indian actress stole the spotlight with a completely different kind of sparkle. Ruchi Gujjar, a model, actor, and former Miss Haryana 2023, made her Cannes debut not just with a golden lehenga but with a bold necklace that instantly sparked global buzz — featuring pendants of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face.
Attending the Chopard “Caroline’s Universe” Dinner, Ruchi chose to make a statement that went beyond fashion. “The necklace is more than jewellery — it’s a symbol of strength, vision, and India’s rise on the world stage,” she said in a media interaction. “By wearing it at Cannes, I wanted to honour our Prime Minister, whose leadership has taken India to new heights.”
View this post on Instagram
Her ensemble, designed by Roopa Sharmaa, paid homage to her Rajasthani roots. The deep gold lehenga featured traditional Gota Patti, mirror work, and intricate embroidery. A handcrafted Bandhani dupatta from Zaribari, finished with rich Zardozi work, completed her look. “Wearing this dupatta felt like I was draping the soul of Rajasthan,” Ruchi shared.
Though her necklace created waves for its unexpected visual, it was also deeply personal. “Prime Minister Modi has redefined India’s global image. I wanted to carry that pride with me,” Ruchi said, calling it her tribute to leadership and cultural identity.
But who exactly is Ruchi Gujjar?
Originally from a conservative Gujjar family in Rajasthan, Ruchi studied at Maharani College in Jaipur before chasing her Bollywood dreams in Mumbai. Her transition wasn’t easy. “In my community, women don’t work in the entertainment industry. It was difficult to change mindsets,” she told BollywoodMDB. “But I want to be an inspiration — someone who broke boundaries and represented our community with pride.”
Her candidness reveals the challenges she overcame, including skepticism from her own family. “My mother was scared when I decided to move to Mumbai,” she recalled. “But my father supported me from day one, and now the whole family is behind me.”
Ruchi gained popularity through music videos such as Jab Tu Meri Na Rahi and Heli Mein Chor, building a fan base with her confidence and screen presence. Now, she dreams of acting in South Indian films. “The audience for South cinema is so passionate. I’d love to work in that space,” she said.
For Ruchi Gujjar, Cannes wasn’t just a red carpet debut — it was her way of introducing herself to the world. Wearing Modi’s face as a fashion statement may have been controversial to some, but for her, it was a moment of pride, a story of defiance, and a declaration of who she is: an Indian woman breaking the mold, one bold choice at a time.
