The 78th Cannes Film Festival is underway, and Indian celebrities are making a significant impact. Among those garnering attention are Jacqueline Fernandez, who stunned in a silver-accented ensemble, and Nitanshi Goel, who paid tribute to Bollywood legends in her debut appearance. The festival, which commenced on May 13, 2025, and will continue until May 24, promises a glamorous showcase of cinema and style.
Jacqueline Fernandez, returning to Cannes for the second time, turned heads in a striking white and silver outfit. She was honored at the Red Sea Film Festival's Women in Cinema initiative, which champions female storytellers. Fernandez shared glimpses of her Cannes journey on Instagram, including her makeup session and moments with fellow honorees. For her first day, Jacqueline sported a chic ensemble featuring a crisp white shirt and tailored pants, elevated by a statement silver corset embellished with shiny silver and intricate floral accents. She accessorized with pearl earrings, rings, metallic heels, and sleek black sunglasses. Her makeup featured blushed cheeks, subtle eyeshadow, mascara, and brown-toned lips, with her hair styled in side-parted waves.
Nitanshi Goel, known for her role in "Laapataa Ladies," made her Cannes debut, representing L'Oréal Paris. At 17, she is the youngest Indian actor to debut at Cannes. Goel's debut was marked by a thoughtful curation of Indian craftsmanship and storytelling. For her first appearance at the India Pavilion inauguration, Nitanshi wore a custom pre-draped ivory saree designed by Jade by Monica and Karishma. The saree featured bow embroidery, cascading 3D floral accents, and subtle paisley motifs. Her blouse was intricately handcrafted with pearls and bead detailing, reminiscent of vintage Indian heirloom work.
The highlight of Nitanshi's look was a pearl hair accessory by Be Abhika, a cascading strand of pearls that served as a miniature gallery of Bollywood's golden icons. Tiny photo frames were threaded through the pearls, each honoring legendary actresses such as Madhubala, Rekha, Sridevi, Vyjayanthimala, Hema Malini, Waheeda Rehman, and Nutan. For her red carpet appearance during the screening of "Dossier 137 (Case 137)," Nitanshi wore a black and gold custom outfit also by Jade, blending kasab embroidery with delicate macramé work, designed to echo spring florals blooming under moonlight.
Nitanshi expressed her excitement about her Cannes debut, stating her desire to represent and empower every Indian girl who dreams big. She sees her presence at Cannes as a symbol of hope for young women aiming to break barriers and carve their own paths.
Several other Indian celebrities are attending Cannes 2025, including Alia Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Ishaan Khattar. Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore is also making her Cannes debut, attending the screening of Satyajit Ray's restored classic, "Aranyer Din Ratri". Additionally, Indian director Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prix last year for "All We Imagine As Light," is part of the main competition jury this year. Several Indian films will be screened, including "Homebound," starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, and "Tanvi: The Great," featuring Anupam Kher. A student film from Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, "A Doll Made Up Of Clay," is also gaining attention.
