All The Times The Sari Was The Superstar At The Cannes Red Carpet

The annual celebration of impeccable films and fashion that is the Cannes Film Festival is back. While the brilliant movies that are screened every year are the main highlight of the festival, it has come to be known as one of the major fashion events of the year, too.

Celebrities from all over the world make their way to the South of France to celebrate movies and showcase breathtaking fashion on the red carpet. Except this time, a new dress code is announced. Anything remotely risqué is no longer allowed on the red carpet—we (apparently) won’t be seeing anything sheer, or with a very deep neckline, or just about anything that can be considered 'indecent’. It doesn't stop there, though. Voluminous, ballgowns with mile-long trains won't be allowed as well, the silhouettes need to be sleek and sophisticated.

Speaking of sleek and sophisticated silhouettes, the traditional sari has been a staple at the red carpet ever since Indian representation began growing robust at the Cannes Film Festival. From regulars like Aishwarya Rai and Deepika Padukone to debutantes like Kangana Ranaut, celebrities opted to wear the traditional garment at the prestigious event.

While you dwell a little on the kinds of looks we’ll be seeing on the red carpet this time, given the new rules, we look back at all the times that we saw the traditional sari on the Cannes red carpet...

Best Sari Moments At The Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 2002

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her Cannes debut in 2002, when she wore a traditional gold sari by Neeta Lulla. Fun Fact: Neeta Lulla and Aishwarya Rai gave us some major fashion moments in the early 2000s, including Aishwarya’s wedding look.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 2003

For her second time at Cannes, Aishwarya chose to wear a sari, again by Neeta Lulla. Except this time, she draped it in a seedha pallu style.

Deepika Padukone, 2010 

In 2010, Deepika made her Cannes debut in an elegant, sophisticated Rohit Bal sari in ivory.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 2010

In 2010, Aishwarya opted for a sheer Sabyasachi sari for the Cannes red carpet, looking classy in every sense of the word.

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, 2013 

In 2013, Sonam wore a beautiful lace sari in gold and ivory, paired with a matching long jacket. While the Anamika Khanna outfit was stunning, what really made headlines about this look was her beautiful nath.

Vidya Balan, 2013

In 2013, Vidya Balan was a jury member at the Film Festival. So she gave us lots of unapologetically traditional Indian looks, most of which were Sabyasachi saris. One of these looks was a printed red Sabyasachi sari, which she styled with a pearl necklace, matching earrings, an ivory clutch, and a chic watch, keeping things very classic.

Vidya Balan, 2013

She wore another gold and ivory sari paired with a black blouse, also by Sabyasachi. She completed the look with a Chanel bag, huge studs, a beaded necklace, and a watch.

Vidya Balan, 2013

The next look remains one of Vidya’s best looks at Cannes, in our humble opinion. It was a champagne-colored sari, paired with a red blouse. She completed the look with a potli bag, a nath, and two necklaces, one of them a layered beaded necklace in blue, adding a fun pop of color. She also wore a blue bindi to go with her necklace. Also, the nath became the talk of the town, might we just say.

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, 2014

In 2014, Sonam again wore an Anamika Khanna sari to the Cannes red carpet. This time, a dreamy pastel pink saree paired with a sheer cape, a choker, matching satin heels and a clutch. This look is our Roman Empire, might we just add.

Richa Chadha, 2016

For the premiere of her movie ‘Masaan’ in 2016, Richa Chadha wore a sheer Sabyasachi sari in gold, paired with an ivory blouse. A sleek updo, minimal jewellery and a red lip are all the ingredients for a chic, classic look, and she knows it.

Kangana Ranaut, 2018

Kangana went for a vintage look in her sequined black Sabyasachi sari and with a strappy blouse in 2018. She completed the look with a pearl choker, retro hair, and a potli bag. 

Rasika Dugal, 2018

In 2018, Rashika Dugal wore a minimalistic pastel blue sari with a scallop border by Raw Mango. Everything about the look was understated and elegant.

Kangana Ranaut, 2019

Kangana opted for a gold Kanjivaram silk sari by Madhurya at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in 2019. She paired it with a custom corset and belt by Falguni Shane Peacock.

Deepika Padukone, 2022

At the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, Deepika opted for a sequinned striped Sabyasachi sari and a black strapless blouse. The saree, hair, and makeup screamed ‘drama’!

Deepika Padukone, 2022

In the same year, Deepika wore another sari, this one by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. This was an ivory ruffled saree, paired with a strapless blouse and a collar made entirely out of pearls and crystals. Again, drama!