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Couture and Craftsmanship – The Best Indian Celebrity Fashion Moments at Cannes 2026
The 79th Cannes Film Festival (May 12-23, 2026) wasn't just a celebration of global cinema; it was a massive showcase of Indian fashion. This year, the Indian contingent brought a refreshing mix of avant-garde structure, vintage Hollywood glamour, and—most importantly—a fierce dedication to Indian handlooms and textiles.
From the undisputed 'Queen of Cannes' breaking her own fashion rules to regional superstars proudly wearing their state drapes, here are the absolute best fashion moments from Indian celebrities on the 2026 Cannes red carpet! -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The 'Luminara' Sculpture
You cannot talk about Cannes without bowing to the Queen. For her first L'Oréal Paris red carpet walk of 2026, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan skipped the traditional tulle ballgowns and opted for pure avant-garde art. She wore 'Luminara,' a breathtaking, structured sapphire-blue gown by Indian designer Amit Aggarwal. Featuring crystal vein embroidery and futuristic shoulder extensions, the mermaid-style silhouette reportedly took over 1,500 hours to craft, proving exactly why she remains the festival's most photographed Indian star. -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Look 2)
The Boss-Lady Finale
Just when people thought they had her style figured out, Aishwarya delivered a massive plot twist at the Cannes closing ceremony. She commanded the red carpet in a sharply tailored, all-white tuxedo pantsuit by Chinese designer Cheney Chan. Complete with bejeweled lapels, lace-detailed trousers, and a dramatic feather boa structured like a 'cat-ear shawl,' this boss-lady aesthetic was a refreshing, powerful departure from her usual flowing silhouettes. -
Alia Bhatt
The Ivory Saree Dream
Returning for her second consecutive year, Alia Bhatt completely broke the internet by bringing vintage Indian glamour to the French Riviera. Designed by Tarun Tahiliani, her custom ivory ensemble was a masterclass in modernizing tradition. Featuring a beautifully sculpted corset and a fluid, saree-inspired drape, Alia accessorized the look with a bindi, a traditional nath, a payal, and a dramatic ivory umbrella. The internet unanimously agreed: she looked like a dream straight out of a classic movie frame. -
Aditi Rao Hydari
A Walk Through the Mughal Gardens
Aditi Rao Hydari has perfected the art of looking effortlessly ethereal, and her 2026 appearance was no exception. Representing L'Oréal Paris, she walked the carpet in a glamorous, soft Champagne silk tissue saree. Crafted with archival block prints and inspired by the historic Mughal gardens of Kashmir, the look was a stunning reminder that sometimes, understated handloom elegance speaks much louder than heavy red-carpet sequins. -
Mouni Roy
The Patola Power Move
Mouni Roy served one of the most culturally significant fashion moments of the festival. Attending the launch of her film Bombay Stories, she stepped out in a custom gown by The House of Patola. The sleek, body-hugging silhouette was entirely covered in vibrant, traditional Gujarati Patola embroidery, which took artisans nearly 300 hours to complete. By keeping her jewelry and hair minimal, Mouni let the rich Indian textile heritage remain the undisputed star of her look. -
Tara Sutaria
Old Hollywood Glamour on the Croisette
Tara Sutaria brought pure, unfiltered cinematic nostalgia to the French Riviera this year. Known for her classic, sophisticated personal style, she skipped the heavy Indian embroidery for an elegant, fitted, off-the-shoulder black gown. Paired with sleek leather gloves, minimal diamond jewelry, and a vintage Hollywood updo, Tara looked like she stepped straight out of a 1950s classic movie set, proving that minimalist drama can easily command a global red carpet. -
Diana Penty
The Liquid Gold Saree
Diana Penty always pushes the envelope when it comes to fusion wear at Cannes, and 2026 was no different. She turned heads in a jaw-dropping, liquid gold metallic knit saree designed by Manish Malhotra. The fluid drape of the contemporary saree was perfectly balanced by a structured, matching metallic bolero jacket and the designer's signature sleek belt. It was the ultimate 'East meets West' power move that glittered spectacularly under the Mediterranean sun. -
Kalyani Priyadarshan
The Shimmery South Indian Debut
Making a highly anticipated Cannes debut, Malayalam cinema's darling Kalyani Priyadarshan brought a youthful, high-fashion energy to the festival. She walked the red carpet in a shimmery black and purple strapless gown that beautifully combined classic red-carpet sophistication with modern, edgy textures. Keeping her hair in effortless waves and her makeup fresh, Kalyani's debut was widely praised for being both incredibly glamorous and completely effortless. -
Urvashi Rautela
Unapologetic Traditional Drama
Cannes regular Urvashi Rautela never plays it safe, and she made sure all eyes were on her during her 2026 walks. Leaning heavily into maximum traditional opulence, Urvashi stepped out in an incredibly heavy, ornate gold saree. The ensemble featured intricate zardozi work paired with a matching heavily embellished gold blouse. She completed the maximalist look with a statement gold bucket purse, proving she remains the queen of high-drama, high-shine fashion on the global stage. -
Roopi Gill
Gurmukhi on the Red Carpet
Joining her Chardikala co-stars, Punjabi leading lady Roopi Gill created a masterpiece fashion moment. She wore a custom ivory Punjabi ensemble designed by Pitambara that featured delicate wheat motifs honoring Punjab's farming roots. The most iconic detail? The title of her film, Chardikala, was embroidered directly into her dupatta in Gurmukhi script. It was a masterclass in weaving cultural identity directly into high fashion. -
Prajakta Mali
The Nauvari Pride
Cannes 2026 proved that regional cinema is officially a global powerhouse. Marathi actress Prajakta Mali skipped Western couture entirely, proudly walking the main red carpet in a vibrant traditional Maharashtrian Nauvari saree. Complete with authentic jewelry, including the classic Maharashtrian Nath (nose ring) and a neatly tied bun, her culturally rooted appearance was met with massive praise from fans and fashion critics alike. -
Ammy Virk & Himmat Sandhu
The Pollywood Leading Men
Punjabi cinema is in its golden era, and the boys made sure the world knew it! Ammy Virk and Himmat Sandhu hit the Cannes film market for the global showcase of their highly anticipated film, Chardikala. Walking the red carpet, the Punjabi superstars brought their signature charm and 'Pind' swagger to the French Riviera, proving that Pollywood is rapidly becoming a global cinematic powerhouse.
