Cannes 2026: Alia Bhatt Dazzles While Anurag Kashyap Critiques the Red Carpet Culture

Alia Bhatt Shines at Cannes

The 79th Cannes Film Festival saw Bollywood sensation Alia Bhatt steal the spotlight on the red carpet. During her three-day stay at the French Riviera, her team unveiled a series of stunning outfits. Alongside her were fellow actresses Urvashi Rautela and Tara Sutaria, who made her debut at this prestigious festival. Notably, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was also in attendance, sharing his thoughts on the evolving nature of Cannes.

Anurag Kashyap's Perspective on Cannes

In a discussion with Sucharita Tyagi, Anurag Kashyap highlighted the fascination surrounding Cannes in India. He pointed out that the focus tends to be on glamorous red-carpet appearances, overshadowing the festival's true cinematic essence. Kashyap remarked that many attendees seem more interested in the spectacle than the films themselves. He explained his absence from the opening day, stating that he prefers to enter from the side rather than walk the red carpet, which he considers the least important aspect of the festival. He also noted that misinformation in India often leads to delays in film screenings.

Indian Celebrities at Cannes

Cannes serves as a vital platform for Indian stars seeking international acclaim, with numerous celebrities gracing the festival over the years. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is often referred to as the 'Queen of Cannes' due to her frequent appearances. Other notable figures include Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anushka Sharma, Kangana Ranaut, and Sonam Kapoor, all of whom have represented India on the global stage. Additionally, actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadha, Janhvi Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Vidya Balan, Sara Ali Khan, and Mrunal Thakur have also participated in the festival.

Upcoming Projects

Anurag Kashyap is set to direct a new film titled Bandar, featuring a talented cast that includes Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, and others. The screenplay is penned by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, with production handled by Nikhil Dwivedi’s Saffron Magicworks. The film is slated for a theatrical release on June 5. Recently, he appeared in Dacoit: A Love Story, alongside Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur.