Last year when Anurag Kashyap and Co (read cast of Gangs of Wasseypur) draped gamchas around their necks to beam at the global media at Cannes, the world sat up and took notice

Vidya Balan

Unarguably, desi fashion was having its spot in the sun amidst the razzle-dazzle of designer couture draped on the Hollywood biggies at the French Riviera.


And with Sonam Kapoor sporting a classic ornate nath (nose ring) with her lace saree on the red carpet the day before, the quintessential elements associated with the Indian woman are out there for everyone to see.

There is no denying the popular argument these days how Bollywood has mostly graced Cannes on the red carpet instead of at the marquee. But a girl's got to do what a girl got to do, some would argue. So from parading with a head-to-toe desi touch, our Bollywood girls have definitely put India on the world fashion map.


Back in 2005, when actress-filmmaker Nandita Das walked the red carpet in the French Riviera in a plain red silk saree, gajra, choker-necklace, maang tika, et al, fashion critics almost jumped out of their chairs.

There was a lone woman among hundreds of Gucci or Dolce and Gabbana clad ladies who had dared to walk off the much trodden path of shimmering gowns and party frocks. Cannes had its very own showstopper! Soon sarees became a passe on the Cannes red carpet, and our leading ladies started adorning their ethnic looks with very-Indian embellishments.


Back in 2010, when Deepika Padukone proudly flaunted a dazzling Rohit Bal saree and a resplendent bindi on the red carpet, the shutterbugs went into a frenzy. Fashion critics, world over noted her Indian-ness oozing out from every thread of her attire!


This year too, our very own desi dresser Vidya Balan kicked off her Cannes sartorial campaign by donning her favourite designer, Sabyasachi.

While her Hollywood counterparts on the jury posed in their sky-high bouffant, Vidya Balan kept it demure with her middle-parted hair slickly styled into a tight braid and bun.

As the jhumkas in her ears tinkled with every step she took, it definitely will pave the way for the rest of the Bollywood bandwagon to try something different before the shutterbugs. Though we can't vouch for all of Vidya's fashion choices, the urge to stand out from the crowd to flaunt one's own personality is definitely the way forward.


Now it's our humble hope that Hindi cinema finds a greater representation at Cannes but till then it's India shining on its red carpets.