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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Why I find Aishwarya Rai's and Deepika Padukone's Cannes outings troubling
Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Sonam Kapoor have long explored the Cannes Film Festival as a stage to showcase not their work but themselves, possibly because they are more attractive and intelligent than their movies. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Cannes veteran since 2002, is a prime example of Cannes commodity objectification. Her filmography, including commercial hits like Jodhaa Akbar or Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, prioritizes her as a spectacle over substance. Yet she is a red-carpet darling, frequently representing L'Oréal, and misrepresenting herself as an actor. In 2022, Aishwarya wore a custom Gaurav Gupta Couture gown, described as a 'sculptural piece with minimal accessories', whatever that means, and a Dolce & Gabbana floral black dress. Her 2025 appearance featured an ivory Kadwa Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra, paired with ruby heirloom jewelry from his High Jewelry line, with the saree alone estimated at ₹15-20 lakh ( $18,000-$24,000) and the jewelry potentially exceeding ₹1 crore ($120,000) due to its 500-carat ruby embellishments. A couple of great movies could be produced within the budget of her accessories. Deepika Padukone, another L'Oréal ambassador, has also prioritized Cannes' glamour over cinematic heft. Her roles in films like Padmaavat or Bajirao Mastani dazzle visually but predictably lack narrative depth, with critics noting their reliance on lavish sets over storytelling. In 2022, as a Cannes jury member, she wore a black and gold sequined Sabyasachi saree, estimated at ₹5-7 lakh ($6,000-$8,400), paired with statement jewelry from Sabyasachi's Bengal Royale Collection, valued at ₹10-15 lakh ($12,000-$18,000). Her red Louis Vuitton gown that year, with a plunging neckline and short train, was priced around $20,000-$30,000, with a diamond necklace adding $15,000-$25,000. Her 2018 fuchsia Ashi Studio gown cost approximately $15,000 to $25,000. These queenly ensembles contrast sharply with her film choices, like Gehraiyaan, which was panned for its shallow emotional core. Sonam Kapoor, known for her fashion-forward image, has starred in instantly forgettable films like Players or Mausam, yet her Cannes appearances are meticulously curated. In 2018, she wore a custom Ralph & Russo lehenga, estimated at ₹20-25 lakh ($24,000-$30,000), with Chopard jewelry valued at $50,000-$80,000. Her 2017 baby pink Elie Saab gown, styled with chandelier earrings by Kalyan Jewels, cost around $15,000-$25,000, with accessories adding $10,000-$20,000. Her 2013 gold and white Anamika Khanna saree, paired with a statement nose ring, was priced at ₹8-10 lakh ($9,600-$12,000). These high-cost looks amplify her "fashionista" persona, but films like The Zoya Factor underscore her limited cinematic contribution. Each year, a parade of Indian celebrities descends upon the French Riviera, draped in trailing gowns as long as a mile and tailored tuxedos, posing for paparazzi and flooding social media with carefully curated glamour shots. If only the care that goes into gowns also went into their movies. The problem isn't their 'look at me' entries. Global film festivals thrive on international representation. But the stark disconnect between the mediocrity of our actors back home and the gravitas they attempt to project at Cannes is telling. Bollywood, for all its cultural dominance and massive output—churning out over hundreds of films annually—rarely produces work that stands up to scrutiny. The majority of its mainstream fare is dull and tediously formulaic: melodramatic family sagas, recycled romantic tropes, or action flicks where the hero or the heroine triumphs over loud evil characters in oiled wigs. All of it guarantees ennui. Since we are in a gender-neutral age, consider their Hollywood male cohorts like Brad Pitt or Leonardo De Caprio. Pitt produced 12 Years a Slave, and gave himself a small supporting role. He backed Moonlight and produced The Big Short—movies that tackle complex themes with nuance and ambition. Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions delivered The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Killers of the Flower Moon, projects that push boundaries in craft and narrative. These stars don't attend festivals just for clout; they're invested in cinema as an art form, using their influence to fund stories that challenge, provoke, or redefine the medium. When they appear at Cannes, it's often tied to a project with weight. Their red-carpet moments are a byproduct, not the purpose. This isn't to say Indian cinema lacks talent or potential. Directors like Anurag Kashyap or Kiran Rao, Payal Kapadia, or Anant Mahadevan have shown what is possible when creativity trumps formula. But the stars who dominate Cannes' red carpet are rarely attached to such projects. The Bollywood industry's occasional gems—like Gully Boy or Tumbbad—rarely match the storytelling depth or technical finesse of global cinema. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Cannes regular for over two decades, again, is a case in point. Her filmography, while commercially successful, includes forgettable fare like Jodhaa Akbar or Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which prioritize spectacle over substance. The counterargument might be that Cannes is a global stage, and Bollywood's presence helps put Indian cinema on the map. Fair enough—visibility matters. But visibility for whom? The films showcased in Cannes' competitive sections are rarely the masala entertainers these stars headline. Instead, it's the low-budget, independent Indian films—often ignored by Bollywood's elite—that occasionally make it to the festival's Un Certain Regard or parallel sections. All That We Imagine As Light is an example. The stars' presence, then, feels like a distraction, drawing attention away from the filmmakers who deserve the spotlight. Their red-carpet antics overshadow the real work of Indian cinema, perpetuating a rather sadly true narrative that Bollywood is all glitz and no substance. If Bollywood stars want to be taken seriously at Cannes, they should take a page from their Hollywood counterparts. Invest in stories that matter. For the price of a gown or two, make a good movie. Champion scripts that challenge conventions. Produce films that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best at the festival. Until then, their presence at Cannes will remain what it often feels like: a fashion show masquerading as a cinematic pilgrimage with little to show for it beyond Instagram reels and fleeting headlines on Page 3. (CP Surendran is a poet, novelist and screenplay writer whose latest novel is One Love and the Many Lives of Osip B. He can be reached at cpsurendran@ Views are personal.)
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Alia Bhatt leaves for her Cannes debut, quashes rumours of absence from film festival
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] (ANI), May 23 (ANI): Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt was spotted at the Mumbai International Airport in the early hours of Friday morning as she departed for her much-anticipated debut at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival 2025. The 'Highway' actress was dressed in a casual yet striking ensemble which included an oversized blazer, blue baggy jeans and a white tank top as she entered the airport amid the media frenzy. Alia looked beautiful as she complemented her look with black sunglasses. The recent appearance of Alia at the airport, leaving for Cannes, quashes the rumours of her possible absence from the film festival. Many Indian celebrities, including Anupam Kher, Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai, Kiara Advani and others, have already attended the Cannes Film Festival this year for their movie screenings and other purposes. The fans have been eagerly waiting for the actress to make her Cannes red carpet debut after she wowed fans with her dress at the Met Gala last year. The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is set to be held till May 24, 2025. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a stunning appearance on the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The actress, who impressed fans earlier with her traditional Banarasi sari look, returned in a bold, black couture gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta on Thursday. Aishwarya's gown, titled 'Heiress of Clam', was a custom-made piece from Gaurav Gupta Couture. The body-fitted gown was hand-embroidered in shades of silver, gold, charcoal, and black. Adding more to her dramatic look, the actress completed her look with a Banarasi brocade cape, handwoven in Varanasi. The cape stood out not just for its rich texture but also because it was inscribed with a Sanskrit shloka from the Bhagavad Gita. (ANI)
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Cannes 2025: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dons cape featuring Bhagavad Gita shloka
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a second appearance at the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday (May 22). The actress, who impressed fans earlier with her traditional Banarasi sari look, returned in a bold, black couture gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. Aishwarya's gown, titled 'Heiress of Clam', was a custom-made piece from Gaurav Gupta Couture. The body-fitted gown was hand-embroidered in shades of silver, gold, charcoal, and black. Adding more to her dramatic look, the actress completed her look with a Banarasi brocade cape, handwoven in Varanasi. The cape stood out not just for its rich texture but also because it was inscribed with a Sanskrit shloka from the Bhagavad Gita. Aishwarya was joined by her daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, who looked beautiful in a black outfit. In videos going viral on social media, Aaradhya can be seen holding her mother's hand as they stepped out together. On Wednesday, Aishwarya walked the iconic red carpet, channeling her inner desi bahu with a Manish Malhotra Banarasi saree and 'sindoor.' Her look reminded many of her debut at the prestigious film festival in 2002, as back then, she walked the red carpet with Shah Rukh Khan in a traditional yellow saree. The year 2003 also saw Aishwarya bringing the grace of six yards to the international stage.
India.com
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Alia Bhatt Leaves For Cannes 2025 Debut, Dismissing Speculation Around Her Absence
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt was spotted at the Mumbai International Airport in the early hours of Friday morning as she departed for her much-anticipated debut at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival 2025. The 'Highway' actress was dressed in a casual yet striking ensemble which included an oversized blazer, blue baggy jeans and a white tank top as she entered the airport amid the media frenzy. Alia looked beautiful as she complemented her look with black sunglasses. CANNES IS HAPPENING !!!#aliabhatt — shrestha (@aliatheicon) May 23, 2025 The recent appearance of Alia at the airport, leaving for Cannes, quashes the rumours of her possible absence from the film festival. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Many Indian celebrities, including Anupam Kher, Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai, Kiara Advani and others, have already attended the Cannes Film Festival this year for their movie screenings and other purposes. The fans have been eagerly waiting for the actress to make her Cannes red carpet debut after she wowed fans with her dress at the Met Gala last year. The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is set to be held till May 24, 2025. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a stunning appearance on the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The actress, who impressed fans earlier with her traditional Banarasi sari look, returned in a bold, black couture gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta on Thursday. Also Read | Cannes 2025: From Aishwarya Rai To Deepika Padukone, These Iconic Dresses Are Now Officially Banned Due To Newly Imposed Rules Prohibiting Nudity And 'Voluminous' Outfits Aishwarya's gown, titled 'Heiress of Clam', was a custom-made piece from Gaurav Gupta Couture. The body-fitted gown was hand-embroidered in shades of silver, gold, charcoal, and black. Adding more to her dramatic look, the actress completed her look with a Banarasi brocade cape, handwoven in Varanasi. The cape stood out not just for its rich texture but also because it was inscribed with a Sanskrit shloka from the Bhagavad Gita.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aishwarya Rai weaves magic again at Cannes in gown with cape featuring Bhagavad Gita shloka. What does it mean?
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned heads once again at the 78th Cannes Film Festival , making a dramatic return to the red carpet in a bold black couture gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. Known for her timeless elegance, Aishwarya made a shift from her traditional look earlier in the week—where she wore a Manish Malhotra Banarasi saree and sindoor—to a strikingly modern silhouette that combined artistry with spiritual symbolism. Her custom gown, aptly named 'Heiress of Clam' , was a sculpted masterpiece from Gaurav Gupta Couture . It featured intricate hand embroidery in hues of silver, gold, charcoal, and black, enhanced with micro glass crystals to reflect cosmic energy and light. The form-fitting silhouette exuded glamour and grace, merging fashion with a deeper narrative. Elevating her look further, Aishwarya draped a regal Banarasi brocade cape over her shoulders. Woven by artisans in Varanasi, the cape wasn't just a fashion accessory—it carried a Sanskrit shloka from the Bhagavad Gita , emphasizing action over reward: 'You have a right to perform your actions, but not to the fruits of those actions. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.' This powerful message added a spiritual depth to her ensemble, setting her apart on the global stage. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Baca Undo Joining her was daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, who charmed onlookers in a simple yet elegant black outfit. The mother-daughter duo was captured walking hand-in-hand, a heartwarming moment that quickly went viral on social media. You Might Also Like: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes 2025: A tribute to Operation Sindoor or a message on divorce rumours with Abhishek Bachchan? Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Cannes 2025 look took the internet by storm. Just a day earlier, Aishwarya evoked nostalgia by donning a traditional Banarasi saree reminiscent of her debut appearance at Cannes in 2002 with Shah Rukh Khan. Her look drew parallels to her early years at the festival, reminding fans of her evolution as both a style icon and cultural ambassador. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a graceful red carpet debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, donning an elegant ivory handloom Banarasi saree by designer Manish Malhotra. Her timeless look paid tribute to traditional Indian craftsmanship. This year, the 78th edition of the prestigious festival is marked by strong Indian representation. Acclaimed filmmaker Payal Kapadia is serving on the main competition jury, a notable milestone for Indian cinema. Veteran actresses Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal also graced the event, attending the world premiere of the newly restored version of Satyajit Ray's 1970 masterpiece Aranyer Din Ratri, adding a touch of cinematic nostalgia. Director Neeraj Ghaywan showcased his film Homebound in the Un Certain Regard category. He was joined by stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and producer Karan Johar.
