15052025-LSTL-01.qxd 5/14/2025 8:52 PM Page 1 c m y b THE TRAIN IS TOO BIG: HALLE At the opening of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, Halle Berry said she was supposed to wear a dress designed by celebrated Indian designer Gaurav Gupta, but couldn’t opt for it because ‘the train is too big’. TRIBUNE Hair story Life Cast member Laetitia Ky poses during a photocall for the film Promis le ciel (Promised Sky) in competition for the category Un Certain Regard at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 15 MAY 2025 Indian stars, including Urvashi Rautela and Nitanshi Goel, are all set to shine and share powerful stories at the Festival de Cannes 2025 URVASHI RAUTELA Can(nes) NITANSHI GOEL AND TAHA SHAH BADUSSHA Parul Gulati and Shalini Passi For years, body positivity influencer Sakshi Sindwani looked up to Vidya Balan and Sonakshi Sinha, who made her feel ‘seen’. And today, she steps onto Cannes to take it all forward. “Cannes, for me, is about big girl representation on the world’s biggest stage. It starts conversations— about inclusivity and real beauty,” she smiled with pride. do, will do! AnanditaGupta A S the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival unfurls its crimson carpet from May 13 to May 24, our home-grown celebrities gear up to represent India at this global extravaganza—through soulful stories and sartorial splendour. Celebrating cinema and style, L 'Oréal ambassadors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Alia Bhatt, along with filmmakers Karan Johar and Payal Kapadia are headed to the Cannes 2025. Among actors, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jhanvi Kapoor, Taha Shah Badussha, Nitanshi Goel and Ishaan Khatter are all set to dazzle at the French Riviera. Among seasoned luminaries, Simran Grewal and Sharmila Tagore will be gracing the Cannes red carpet for the very first time. We caught up with some celebs, who would be making an appearance at the Cannes 2025. Partir un jour screening in an OTT gown, bejewelled crown and parrot-shaped crystal clutch worth over $5,000. “The red carpet is my runway,” she laughed. “For me, it’s all about creating a visual moment—I love having fun with fashion.” IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Taha Shah Badussha After making waves globally with Heeramandi, Taha Shah Badussha is ready to rule the Riviera again, with Paro—his powerful new film on bridal slavery, which is to be screened on May 16. “Cannes is magical for anyone who loves cinema,” he shared. “It isn’t just about flashbulbs and red carpets—it’s a space for powerful stories. And Paro is one such impactful story.” While the film is close to his heart, so is fashion—and Taha is bringing his A-game. “There are many designers behind my Cannes looks. But what truly inspires me is classic aesthetic,” shared the actor. GLAMOUR UNFILTERED: Urvashi Rautela Known for her bold fashion statements, Urvashi Rautela lit up the Cannes carpet at the ART MEETS HEART: Shalini Passi For philanthropist, fashionista and art connois- Breaking moulds: Sakshi Sindwani seur Shalini Passi, Cannes is a new world. “It’s my first time here and I’m soaking in every moment—be it charity galas, film screenings or fashion soirées,” she shared. Her Cannes wardrobe? “A love letter to Indian heritage—yes, there’ll be sarees and sparkles.” LAAPATAA NO MORE: Nitanshi Goel From dusty lanes in Laapataa Ladies to the shimmer of the Croisette, 17-year-old Nitanshi Goel is literally living a dream, as she makes her Cannes debut this year. “I’m just a small-town girl with big ambitions. Getting to walk the Cannes red carpet feels surreal,” she beamed. FOUNDER IN FASHION: Parul Gulati As a woman who built her empire strand by strand with Nish Hair, Parul Gulati arrives at Cannes as a founder and a disruptor. “ I'm here to celebrate the India that's bold and unapologetic,” quipped Parul. PHOTOS: REUTERS JULIETTE BINOCHE (FOURTH FROM LEFT), JURY PRESIDENT OF THE 78TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, WITH JURY MEMBERS HALLE BERRY, PAYAL KAPADIA, ALBA ROHRWACHER, LEILA SLIMANI, DIEUDO HAMADI, HONG SANG-SOO, CARLOS REYGADAS AND JEREMY STRONG (Clockwise from left) Daniella Pick, Quentin Tarantino and Eva Longoria pose on the red carpet during the opening ceremony and the screening the film Partir un jour (Leave One Day) Out of Competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France; and Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro receives an Honorary Palme dOr Award from Leonardo DiCaprio Robert De Niro calls for protest against ‘philistine’ Trump as Cannes Film Festival takes off Hollywood icon Robert De Niro lambasted ‘philistine’ US President Donald Trump and his proposed film tariff at the Cannes Film Festival’s opening ceremony, where he used his lifetime achievement award speech to call for protests. The 81-year-old actor shared the stage at the plush Grand Theatre Lumiere with fellow Oscar-winning superstars like Halle Berry, Juliette Binoche and Quentin Tarantino to accept c m y b Stage of dissent the award from longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio. Trump “has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education. And now he has announced the 100 per cent tariff on films produced outside the US,” said De Niro, known for films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and more recently Killers of the Flower Moon. “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can put a tariff on it,” said De Niro, who called on ‘everyone who cares about liberty’ to protest against Trump. Officially open Tarantino, the US director who launched his career at Cannes, officially opened the festival, which now runs until May 24, with a mic drop before audiences settled in for the opening film, French comedy Leave One Day. Eva Longoria, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda and US director Sean Baker — who won the festival’s top Palme d’Or prize last year for Anora — were seen on the red carpet ahead of the festival. German model Heidi Klum wore a pink flower petalesque gown that trailed quite a ways behind her, but apparently not long enough to have her denied entry onto the red carpet after organisers changed the dress code recently to ban nudity and over-the-top trains. Red & blue Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia on Tuesday made an appearance for a photocall at the opening ceremony as part of the prestigious gala’s jury panel. This marks Kapadia’s return to Cannes a year after she charted history as the first Indian director to win the Grand Prix for her debut feature film All We Imagine As Light, a joint India and France production. Kapadia chose a blue blouse and a red asymmetrical skirt ensemble by designer Payal Khandwala, who also dressed the director for her appearance on the red carpet of the Golden Globes 2025 ceremony earlier this year. — Agencies