At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the presence of Indian cinema and celebrities was both vibrant and unforgettable.
By RUBY ZAIDI
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a long-standing Cannes icon, graced the red carpet in a stunning white-and-gold sari crafted by celebrated designer Manish Malhotra, turning heads with her timeless elegance and poise.
Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor made a powerful Cannes debut while promoting her film Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan.
The film was featured in the Un Certain Regard section and received a nine-minute standing ovation, marking a proud and emotional high point for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Adding a touch of classic nostalgia, the Cannes Classics segment screened a newly restored version of Satyajit Ray’s legendary film Aranyer Din Ratri.
The screening was met with an enthusiastic ovation, attended by veterans Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal, both of whom added gravitas to the tribute.
Also making their presence felt at the festival were several prominent names from Indian cinema, including Alia Bhatt, Vishal Jethwa, Karan Johar, Aditi Rao Hydari, Boman Irani, Payal Kapadia, Nitanshi Goel, and more — each representing different facets of the industry and reinforcing India’s growing influence at Cannes.
The 2025 edition of the festival proved to be a landmark moment for Indian storytelling, fashion, and film legacy, bridging the golden past and a dynamic present.
