Cannes Film Festival 2023: Indian American Influencer Shivani Bafna Sizzles on the French Riviera - American Kahani (2024)

Indian American content creator Shivani Bafnarecently made her debut at the Cannes International Film Festival on the French Riviera. The New York City-based 27-year-old was seen wearing a red statement gown designed by Vaishali S. Bafna reportedly styled herself with the help and input of her friends, family, and colleagues. The highlight of her ensemble was a DIY-ed clutch featuring a QR code. When scanned, the code took audiences to a letter she wrote. In the letter, she reportedly shared her feelings about being on the red carpet. She told Indian media outfits that she hoped her message resonates with the audience.

Several Bollywood actresses and Indian influencers made their red carpet debut at the annual festival renowned for its glitz, glamour, and celebration of cinematic excellence.

The first day of the festival saw the debut ofSara Ali Khanwho stood out in her first-ever Cannes red carpet appearance in a handwoven ivory lehenga from Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. She had her hair up in a bun with a long, trailing veil pinned to it. She finished the look with statement drop earrings. For the opening night party, she chose a black strapless outfit with gold embellishment, along with a matching black purse.

Apart from Khan, actresses Mrunal Thakur, Mouni Roy, Manushi Chillar, Esha Gupta, Sezal Sharma and influencers made many a head turn on the coveted red carpet. But the pièce de résistance wasAishwarya Rai Bachchan, the reigning queen of Cannes, For her 21st appearance at the festival, the 49-year-old was seen wearing a glittering silver gown from Sophie Couture with lightweight aluminum details featuring a long flared trail and an attached hood. It came with the brand’s signature black corset underneath and a huge black bow cinched at the waist.

Before the appearance at the festival, the actress posed for photographs in a gorgeous and vibrant glittering green Valentino dress. Her looks, however, drew mixed reactions on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Indian media reported about a video that shows the French media addressing actress and modelUrvashi Rautelaas Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “While some took offense to the actor being mistaken for Aishwarya, who is a Cannes Film Festival veteran, Urvashi seemed unfazed by the paparazzi’s mistake,” the Hindustan Times reported.

Rautela meanwhile got flak for her “parrot” look in an elaborate body-hugging green feathery dress from Ziad Nakad’s Spring Summer 2023 Couture Collection at the screening of the film “Club Zero.” A green feathered cap completed the look. Her other looks included an orange flowery gown designed by Paris-based fashion brand hom*ological, as well as a pink tulle gown designed by Sima Couture and what netizens described as a “bizarre” crocodile necklace. However, a tweet by a user named Dinn noted that made in 1975, the Cartier Crocodile Necklace, is the “world’s most expensive crocodile Cartier necklace” with “120-carat diamonds” and is “worth $27.4 million.

Mrunal Thakurmade her red carpet debut at the2023 Cannes Film Festivalin a custom-made gown from the house of Falguni Shane Peaco*ck at the premiere of Sean Penn’s “Black Flies” on May 18. The actor was previously seen in a sequinned lavender saree by Falguni Shane Peaco*ck. She was also seen in an Anamika Khanna “hood couture.”

“Brahmastra” actressMouni Roymade her red carpet debut in a gorgeous strapless ivory gown from Atelier Zuhra. She completed the elegant look with a choker necklace featuring jewels from Swarovski and Boucheron and stilettos from Giuseppe Zanotti.

Esha Guptawas seen in four different outfits during her appearance at the festival. For her first red carpet look at the French Riviera, she chose a risque Nicolas Jebran collared chiffon gown. The alluring silhouette featured golden 3-D flowers on the bodice and a slit up to her waist. Her look was complemented by a huge rock on her finger, a pair of strappy stilettos, and some soft waves. She kept it classy for her second look, in a sultry black bodycon cutout dress by Galvan London at the opening night party. The “Jannat 2” actress was seen with her beau Manuel Campos Guallar when she slipped into a black bodycon ensemble that featured a plunging neckline with gathered rose-shaped detailing on the waist and a thigh-high slit. Her fourth outfit was a Julfer Milano blue semi-sheer bodycon dress with a halter neck.

Haryanvi sensationSapna Choudharywalked the red carpet in a white feather short dress with an embellished beaded long veil. Miss World 2017 Manushi Chillar graces the red carpet looking ethereal for Walkers & Co at Festival de Cannes. The actress looked absolutely gorgeous in an all-white gown by Fovari “The white lace bodice, the dramatic trail, the neon heels and the statement neckpiece, all combined gave her a perfect ‘Cinderella moment’ to relish for the rest of her life,” Lifestyle Asia reported.

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