We were floored by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s red Ralph & Russo gown, mesmerised by Deepika Padukone in her plum Marchessa dress, and captivated by Sonam Kapoor in her blush-coloured Elie Saab ensemble. Over the past week, we’ve had pictures of these Bollywood divas on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival thrown at us and we’ve loved every single one.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wearing Ralph & Russo Couture at #Cannes2017 pic.twitter.com/N3BxUIVJU1
— FashionweekNYC (@FashionweekNYC) May 20, 2017
A sight to behold in a sheer purple @MarchesaFashion gown at #Cannesfilmfestival2017. @deepikapadukone has aced the #redcarpet game. pic.twitter.com/IQwI7mGe7y
— FashionForRoyals (@fashionforroyal) May 21, 2017
Sonam Kapoor Slaying #Cannes2017 pic.twitter.com/zZO5loFpfk
— ThingsBrownPeopleDo (@BrownPeopleDo) May 21, 2017
Cannes may be oceans away, but when it comes to our leading ladies and their choice of clothing at the prestigious film festival, we’ve always had an opinion.
Queen #AishwaryaAtCannes pic.twitter.com/ESJolH0UIF
— Aishwarya At Cannes (@AishAtCannes) May 22, 2017
OMG wonderful #AishwaryaAtCannes pic.twitter.com/54fIcqqVtY
— Aishwarya At Cannes (@AishAtCannes) May 19, 2017
Remember the outrage over Aishwarya Rai’s outfits in 2003? She may be the world’s most beautiful woman, but the Indian fashion police were scathing in their criticism over her choice of dresses. And while we’ve been lapping up picture after picture over the years of Bollywood’s leading ladies in the French Riviera, actor Shabana Azmi recently reminded us that there was a time when the Cannes was less about fashion and more about the films.
Taking to Twitter, Shabana posted a picture from the 1976 Cannes Film Festival, featuring director Shyam Benegal, actor Smita Patil and her ahead of the screening of the Hindi film Nishant.
In Cannes1976 for Nishant in official section.The simplicity of it all. Film was important not the clothes! pic.twitter.com/hmHA2LHCN1
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) April 15, 2017
Another still from Cannes Festival 1976 Nishant in official selection pic.twitter.com/lPODdOp6Em
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) April 15, 2017
While Shyam is wearing a full-sleeved t-shirt and a waist coat, Shabana and Smita are the epitome of simplicity in their humble sarees. There was no posing for the shutterbugs, as the three appear candid in this black-and-white photograph.
Incidentally, their film Nishant was nominated for the Palme d’Or, the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival. But there were no mega publicity drives back then. In another tweet, Shabana recalls that with no money, the director made Smita and her walk down the promenade in their saris. Those “who turned in curiosity” were asked to watch the Hindi film.
V had no money so Shyam made us walk down d promenade in saris n ask ppl who turned in curiosity to watch our film.it worked house was full https://t.co/zAG4UxIPrh
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) April 15, 2017
The veteran actor’s tweets received much praise, with Sonam Kapoor retweeting the pictures.
You look beautiful! https://t.co/baqpALS6Tp
— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) April 15, 2017