5 Bollywood Actors Who Donned Saree At Cannes Red Carpet

The Cannes Film Festival laid out the red carpet on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. During the next 12 days, 21 films will compete for the festival's prestigious top prize, the Palme d'Or, as well as a few high-profile Hollywood pictures.

Deepika Padukone wore a dazzling black and gold striped saree by Sabyasachi on the red carpet at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, channelling a Bengal tiger-inspired desi throwback aesthetic. Her appearance was pretty remarkable and was praised by all. This was not the first time she wore a saree on an international stage such as Cannes; in 2012, she made her red carpet debut in a saree.

We've created a list of Bollywood actors that rocked sarees on the Cannes red carpet and redefined Indian traditional craft practises, or sarees, as contemporary fashion. They've 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 stimulating a sense of fashion that transcends cultures.

Bollywood Actors Who donned Saree At Cannes Red Carpet:

Aishwarya  Rai Bachchan

The actor has walked the Cannes red carpet for the past 20 years.It was on the red carpet for the premiere of Devdas in 2002 that Bachchan made her red carpet debut. For the occasion, she wore a Neeta Lulla mustard yellow saree. She wore sarees numerous times in the years that followed. From Tarun Tahiliani's dazzling gold drape to the same designer's striking green silk Kanjeevaram.

Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut represented India at the annual Cannes Film Festival for two years and did not miss an opportunity to bring an Indian saree to the French town both times. In 2018, she wore a Sabyasachi black hand-cut sequined saree and a matching sleeveless blouse on the red carpet. She accessorised with a potli purse and a vintage-inspired hairstyle. She then played with a golden Kanjeevaram saree from the label Madhurya in 2019, pairing it with a custom-adorned gold corset by Falguni & Shane Peacock and wine-red opera gloves.

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Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor has established herself in Cannes throughout the years, and when it comes to sarees, she has styled the traditional costume multiple times, but with a few twists, such as fusion drapes and structured pallus. The fusion gold and white Anamika Khanna saree, along with a jacket and nath (nose accessory), is still one of her most memorable outfits. In 2013, she wore it to the premiere of The Great Gatsby. For Anamika Khanna's second time, 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 edition of the film festival. A sleek bun, tiny gold diamonds, and an embellished sleeveless top completed her look. In Cannes 2022, the actor wore a Sabyasachi black and gold saree. Her look was completed by a golden headband and kohled eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. Her bold eye make up created much buzz on social media as many called her Indian Julia Fox.

Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan donned Sabyasachi designed outfits for all of her red carpet appearances during the festival held in Cannes, and the results were always impressive. Balan once wore a green silk saree with a red blouse and intricate gold jewellery. She also wore a red tulle saree with a full-sleeved matching red blouse, a pearl necklace, and minimal accessories, as well as a white and gold drape with a black blouse.

Diana Penty also wore a statement saree to Cannes in 2019, while Richa Chadha wore a floral printed pastel green saree by designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to the screening of Masaan in 2015. Not to forget that Indian female actors have been going to Cannes film festival since many decades. When veteran actors such as Shabana Azmi and her contemporaries started to represent Indian cinema at the International event, they always wore sarees in the most elegant ways. With time, the saree on red carpet has evolved, it has been made into a fusion wear reflecting modern India and its new age fashion sense but the saree never left the red carpet and by the looks of it at the moment, it is expected to keep coming back no matter the form or drape.