Get over Alia Bhatt, or at least, make room. Because Cannes 2026 was never just a one-woman show. This year, India sent a full constellation of stars, creators, and cultural ambassadors to the French Riviera, and each of them turned the red carpet into a masterclass in heritage, haute couture, and unapologetic glamour.
From Banarasi silk to billion-rupee crystal gowns, from Gurmukhi embroidery to neon Tony Ward couture, India was everywhere at Cannes, and it was magnificent. Here are the standout looks that made the world stop scrolling.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
For her red carpet appearance, Aishwarya chose Amit Aggarwal’s sculptural abyss-blue couture gown, Luminara,a creation that felt futuristic yet unmistakably regal. Featuring over 1,500 hours of handwork, crystal vein embroidery, and dramatic wing-like shoulders, the gown moved like light itself, catching every camera flash and turning the carpet into her runway. It was bold, architectural, and exactly the kind of commanding Cannes moment only Aishwarya can deliver.
For her second appearance, Aishwarya shifted gears into something softer but equally striking: a powder pink Sophie Couture gown adorned with shimmering crystal detailing and a flowing cape. Romantic, elegant, and effortlessly glamorous, the look proved her red carpet magic does not rely solely on drama. If the blue gown was power dressing, this was pure old-Hollywood charm — graceful, luminous, and entirely Aishwarya.
Aditi Rao Hydari
Aditi Rao Hydari delivered two entirely different Cannes moods – one steeped in heritage, the other unapologetically couture. For her first appearance, she chose the most exquisite homage to Indian tradition in a champagne-beige sequinned saree by Jade by Monica and Karishma. The ivory-and-gold creation shimmered with delicate all-over embellishment that moved like moonlight, while Mughal-inspired detailing gave it the quiet grandeur of something preserved in a museum. A choker necklace framed her collarbones like a royal seal, her signature braid added softness, and luminous restrained makeup let the craftsmanship speak for itself.
Then came the red-carpet switch-up, and every camera shutter followed. At the screening of El Ser Querido, the Heeramandi actress stepped out in a custom lime-green Tony Ward Couture gown, complete with a structured asymmetrical bodice, sweeping cape silhouette, dramatic train, and daring thigh-high slit. Cosmic-inspired accents around the sculptural neckline created movement beneath flashes, while the fluid drape balanced the architectural structure beautifully. A neon dream with old-Hollywood soul, the look somehow felt both unexpected and timeless.
For another appearance, Aditi leaned into quiet sophistication in a pearl-white midi dress featuring a drop-waist silhouette and delicate spaghetti straps. The structured yet feminine fit gave the ensemble timeless elegance, elevated with pointed heels, pearl-accented jewellery, and soft glam makeup. Loose waves and a dewy beauty look added an unmistakable old-Hollywood charm. Then came the red-carpet drama: a custom lime-green Tony Ward Couture gown with an asymmetrical bodice, sweeping cape silhouette, dramatic train, and daring slit — a neon dream that somehow still felt timeless.
2. Huma Qureshi
Huma Qureshi arrived at Cannes wrapped in the quiet authority of Indian craftsmanship. Her muted mauve Banarasi silk sareeby Shanti Banaras, threaded with intricate gold zari motifs and paired with a rich gold blouse, struck that impossibly perfect balance between understated and luxurious. Gemstone jewellery, soft radiant makeup, subtle kohl-lined eyes, and long side-swept waves completed a look that felt romantic and regal in equal measure. As though she had stepped out of a period epic and onto the Croisette.
For her second appearance, Huma pivoted completely, and the pivot was stunning. In a custom black velvet creation by Eman Alajlan, she embraced old-Hollywood glamour with a ruthlessly modern edge. A plunging neckline and structured velvet bodice hugged her frame with architectural precision before giving way to a voluminous sheer skirt detailed with textured floral accents. Rich velvet meeting airy sheer made for a look that felt simultaneously powerful and deeply romantic.
As for her another appearance, the actor brought timeless glamour to the 79th Cannes Film Festival in a stunning black velvet gown by Oscar de la Renta, reportedly priced at ₹9.26 lakh. The figure-skimming silhouette featured a dramatic halter neckline with a subtle keyhole cut-out, while intricate gold leaf embroidery around the neckline created regal contrast against the rich velvet. Styled by Meagan Concessio, Huma kept accessories minimal, delicate gold stud earrings from Amrapali Jewels and sleek Gianvito Rossi heels, allowing the gown to remain the focal point.
Diana Penty
Representing India at the Bharat Pavilion, Diana Penty dressed the occasion in a custom golden knit saree by Manish Malhotra that blended traditional draping with contemporary couture. Metallic textures, sculpted puff sleeves, and a plunging neckline gave heritage an undeniably modern spin, while the ivory embellished pallu softened the drama beautifully. Tousled hair, bronzed makeup, and nude lips completed the sun-kissed effect, a Cannes moment dipped in Indian gold.
Her second look marked a complete reinvention. Representing BMW on the red carpet, Diana stepped out in a custom Amit Aggarwal couture gown engineered in rich scarlet, deep red, and black Ikat weaves with a futuristic liquid-like sheen. Sculptural pleating, bold 3D detailing, and a voluminous bustle added theatrical drama without excess, while the asymmetrical neckline sharpened the couture edge. French chic through an Indian lens — breathtakingly futuristic.
Marathi Pride on the Croisette
While couture gowns dominated much of Cannes, Marathi stars brought something equally powerful to the Riviera: tradition worn with pride. Prajakta Mali turned heads in a striking blue-and-purple Nauvari saree, paired with a classic Marathi Nath and layered gold jewellery that felt deeply rooted in heritage. Greeting photographers with folded hands, her presence carried warmth and authenticity,a graceful reminder that cultural identity can be just as commanding as couture on an international red carpet.
Making an especially memorable moment was veteran actor Ashok Saraf, who made his first-ever Cannes Film Festival appearance at 78. Walking hand-in-hand with wife Nivedita Saraf, the celebrated Marathi and Hindi cinema icon brought understated elegance in a crisp white bandhgala paired with black trousers, while Nivedita embraced tradition in a stunning Paithani saree, finished with classic jewellery and a fresh gajra. Together, the couple greeted fans and paparazzi with folded hands, their warm chemistry and culturally rooted styling earning admiration across the festival.
Roopinder Kaur Gill
Roopinder Kaur Gill’s Cannes debut felt less like a fashion appearance and more like a cultural statement. Wearing a soft ivory three-piece outfit by Pitambara by Manisha, she brought Punjabi craftsmanship to one of fashion’s biggest stages with striking emotional depth. Wheat motifs stitched onto the dupatta nodded to Punjab’s farming roots, while zardozi, dori embroidery, and authentic gold detailing elevated the craftsmanship into couture territory.
But the most resonant detail sat quietly on her sleeves, "Chardikala” embroidered in Gurmukhi script. A tribute to her upcoming film and a powerful expression of identity. The elongated layered silhouette balanced softness with grandeur, evoking Punjabi royalty while remaining entirely modern. She did not simply wear a look — she wore a language.
Masoom Minawala
For her seventh Cannes appearance, Masoom Minawala made one of the festival’s most quietly radical fashion decisions: spotlighting emerging talent over marquee couture names. She wore a custom crochet backless mermaid gown by Anushka Sanghvi, a young designer she discovered on Instagram. Taking over 300 hours to complete, the gown was handcrafted by Sanghvi, her mother, and a network of women artisans, with strategic cutouts and an open back lending the silhouette sensuality without excess. Every shimmer carried a story of slow craft and female artisanship.
For her second appearance, Minawala leaned into joyful fashion nostalgia, channelling Cher Horowitz from Clueless in a turquoise strapless dress captioned with the iconic line: “This is an Alaïa!” The playful Western silhouette paired with heritage Indian jewellery created a brilliant sartorial tension — nostalgia meeting culture, cinema meeting craft — and delivered one of Cannes’ most genuinely fun fashion moments.
Kalyani Priyadarshan
Fresh off Lokah Chapter One: Chandra, Kalyani Priyadarshan arrived at Cannes with a debut that instantly announced her presence. Her custom dual-tone sequinned gown by IRTH sculpted a dramatic hourglass silhouette, contrasting a vivid purple centre panel against black sides that shimmered beneath every flash on the carpet. Elegant, sharp, and impossible to ignore, it was a red-carpet entrance built to command attention.
But the undisputed talking point was her jewellery. As brand ambassador for Kalyan Jewellers, she wore a bespoke reverse lariat-style necklace in 14K white gold featuring a staggering 52-carat blue sapphire, pink morganites, and 945 natural diamonds. Her swept-aside waves ensured every angle captured the sculptural back jewel, while a bright pink lip and matching manicure added the perfect finishing punctuation.
Tara Sutaria
Tara Sutaria arrived at Cannes 2026 with a crystal-clear fashion vision: old Hollywood, impeccably restored for today. Her first appearance in a black-and-white Helsa Studio strapless midi dress channelled vintage sophistication with a voluminous skirt, lace-trimmed ivory underlayer, Jimmy Choo pumps, YSL sunglasses, and vintage drop earrings. For her second outing, she sharpened the glamour in a sculpted black Rhea Costa corset gown, elevated instantly by black leather opera gloves, vintage Chanel earrings, angular shades, and deep side-parted curls that gave the look unmistakable femme-fatale energy.
Then came her main red-carpet moment — cinematic in every sense. Wearing a pearl-white Vivienne Westwood gown, Tara embraced full Elizabeth Taylor-coded glamour, anchored by the breathtaking Messika “Turaco” necklace featuring 53-carat diamonds and rare green stones. A sleek high bun, shimmering lids, and Aquazzura crystal sandals completed what may have been one of India’s most classically perfect Cannes appearances this year.
Rida Tharana
Coorg-born creator Rida Tharana marked her Cannes debut with a look that perfectly balanced avant-garde couture and Indian craftsmanship. In a custom Nikhil Gajare creation, the strapless corset featured intricate curved paneling that mimicked the organic lines of a seashell, sculpting the torso in dramatic 3D form. From there, the silhouette opened into a voluminous chiffon skirt designed for movement and theatricality.
A copper-toned pleated sash at the hips added metallic contrast against the pristine ivory palette, bringing together textures and techniques in one beautifully considered detail. Finished with Sennes diamonds and a high voluminous updo, the look announced a confident new generation of Indian creators stepping onto Cannes’ biggest stage.
Urvashi Rautela
When Urvashi Rautela arrived at Cannes, subtlety was never part of the plan. Her first appearance — a crystal-heavy JoliPoli Couture creation reportedly valued at Rs. 1500 crore, felt less like a gown and more like a couture installation. Thousands of precision-placed crystals created a liquid shimmer under flash photography, while a falcon-inspired metallic headpiece, eight months in the making, transformed the look into a spectacle of symbolism and excess. Judith Leiber accessories only amplified the drama.
For her second and third appearances, Urvashi shifted between vintage glamour and regal Indian dressing with ease. A pearl-encrusted peach couture gown by Tasnim Zobear delivered plunging-neckline drama and fluid movement beneath the Cannes lights, while her final ivory-and-gold embellished saree embraced regal styling at full volume. Yet, it was the rare Himalayense crocodile handbag by The Collector CH that sparked endless conversation, perhaps the most talked-about accessory of Cannes 2026.
