Shobhaa De's brutal Cannes commentary: Alia Bhatt gets critique, Urvashi Rautela gets love
Shobhaa De ripped into Indian celebrities' Cannes appearances in a blunt video commentary. Her remarks sharpened the debate over whether the festival is becoming more brand-driven than cinema-led.
If the Indian contingent at Cannes was hoping for polite applause, Shobhaa De had other plans.
In a characteristically unfiltered video commentary, the columnist-author tore into what she described as an increasingly performative Cannes presence from Indian celebrities, one heavy on couture, brand endorsements and “garam hawa”, but light on personality, ease and cinematic legitimacy.
And no, she did not hold back.
Dos and don’ts in Cannes: De edition
For De, the problem wasn’t simply bad fashion. It was discomfort masquerading as glamour.
Speaking about the Indian stars walking the Cannes red carpet this year, she remarked that many appeared desperate to “make an impact” while trying too hard to mimic a version of European sophistication that did not come naturally to them.
According to her, the French Riviera has its own rhythm and understated confidence — a “certain je ne sais quoi quality” — that cannot be manufactured through dramatic gowns alone.
“You cannot go there in what you imagine is amazing couture and expect anyone to take your pictures because they don’t know who you are,” she said bluntly.
Alia Bhatt’s Cannes run didn’t quite work for her
Alia Bhatt, whose Cannes wardrobe has generated massive online chatter this year, also came under scrutiny.
De dismissed Alia’s peach-toned gown as “ill-fitting” and said the heavily draped India Pavilion ensemble did not work for her either. Even the now-viral “nath look” — which many online praised for being rooted and elegant — got a reluctant nod at best.
“The nath somewhat did, but the nath has been done to death,” she remarked.
Her larger issue, however, seemed to be with the overall styling direction. De felt many of the looks were too heavy and overworked for the breezy Riviera setting.
“In this weather, for heaven’s sake, it should be something lighter, breezier, more ‘hey, I’m here’,” she said, arguing that the looks felt more overstated than effortless.
“They’re not there for cinema”
Perhaps the sharpest part of De’s commentary was reserved for Cannes itself or rather, what the festival has become for many Indian celebrities.
With the exception of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, whom she called the only truly “recognisable and recognised” Indian star on that carpet, De questioned why many Indian influencers and actors attend Cannes in the first place.
According to her, most are not there to promote films or participate in cinematic conversations, but to endorse beauty brands, cosmetics and luxury labels.
“They are there to push and promote a range of cosmetics and shampoos because ‘they’re worth it’,” she quipped.
It was a biting observation, but also one that taps into a growing internet debate around Cannes becoming increasingly influencer-driven rather than cinema-driven (where’s the lie?).
And then came the plot twist
Urvashi Rautela, surprisingly, got the warmest review. Of everyone De mentioned, it was Urvashi who escaped relatively unscathed.
In fact, De called her “an original”.
Referring to Urvashi’s now-discussed statement, “I am India,” De seemed oddly charmed by the actor’s unapologetic theatricality.
“She is who she is,” De said, adding that Urvashi at least was not pretending to be something else.
It was perhaps the most generous thing she said about anyone all video.
Rocking Cannes at 92
The video eventually moved beyond Indian celebrities and into a larger lament about what Cannes has become.
For De, the true star of this year’s festival was not a Gen-Z influencer or couture ambassador, but 92-year-old Joan Collins, who attended to promote her film The Duchess.
De admired Collins for approaching the red carpet like a seasoned professional, even taking choreography lessons to perfect her walk and appearance.
“That’s called star power,” she said.
Notably, De contrasted Collins’ aura and preparation with what she sees as the increasingly hollow spectacle of celebrity fashion appearances at global events.
“No style, no substance”
The commentary ended with one final mic-drop line.
“The Met Gala is over. I think the party is over at Cannes too,” De declared, before adding: “No style, no substance, but a lot of garam hawa.”
That was brutal commentary even for the most strong hearted. Should we expect a comeback soon?
If the Indian contingent at Cannes was hoping for polite applause, Shobhaa De had other plans.
In a characteristically unfiltered video commentary, the columnist-author tore into what she described as an increasingly performative Cannes presence from Indian celebrities, one heavy on couture, brand endorsements and “garam hawa”, but light on personality, ease and cinematic legitimacy.
And no, she did not hold back.
Dos and don’ts in Cannes: De edition
For De, the problem wasn’t simply bad fashion. It was discomfort masquerading as glamour.
Speaking about the Indian stars walking the Cannes red carpet this year, she remarked that many appeared desperate to “make an impact” while trying too hard to mimic a version of European sophistication that did not come naturally to them.
According to her, the French Riviera has its own rhythm and understated confidence — a “certain je ne sais quoi quality” — that cannot be manufactured through dramatic gowns alone.
“You cannot go there in what you imagine is amazing couture and expect anyone to take your pictures because they don’t know who you are,” she said bluntly.
Alia Bhatt’s Cannes run didn’t quite work for her
Alia Bhatt, whose Cannes wardrobe has generated massive online chatter this year, also came under scrutiny.
De dismissed Alia’s peach-toned gown as “ill-fitting” and said the heavily draped India Pavilion ensemble did not work for her either. Even the now-viral “nath look” — which many online praised for being rooted and elegant — got a reluctant nod at best.
“The nath somewhat did, but the nath has been done to death,” she remarked.
Her larger issue, however, seemed to be with the overall styling direction. De felt many of the looks were too heavy and overworked for the breezy Riviera setting.
“In this weather, for heaven’s sake, it should be something lighter, breezier, more ‘hey, I’m here’,” she said, arguing that the looks felt more overstated than effortless.
“They’re not there for cinema”
Perhaps the sharpest part of De’s commentary was reserved for Cannes itself or rather, what the festival has become for many Indian celebrities.
With the exception of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, whom she called the only truly “recognisable and recognised” Indian star on that carpet, De questioned why many Indian influencers and actors attend Cannes in the first place.
According to her, most are not there to promote films or participate in cinematic conversations, but to endorse beauty brands, cosmetics and luxury labels.
“They are there to push and promote a range of cosmetics and shampoos because ‘they’re worth it’,” she quipped.
It was a biting observation, but also one that taps into a growing internet debate around Cannes becoming increasingly influencer-driven rather than cinema-driven (where’s the lie?).
And then came the plot twist
Urvashi Rautela, surprisingly, got the warmest review. Of everyone De mentioned, it was Urvashi who escaped relatively unscathed.
In fact, De called her “an original”.
Referring to Urvashi’s now-discussed statement, “I am India,” De seemed oddly charmed by the actor’s unapologetic theatricality.
“She is who she is,” De said, adding that Urvashi at least was not pretending to be something else.
It was perhaps the most generous thing she said about anyone all video.
Rocking Cannes at 92
The video eventually moved beyond Indian celebrities and into a larger lament about what Cannes has become.
For De, the true star of this year’s festival was not a Gen-Z influencer or couture ambassador, but 92-year-old Joan Collins, who attended to promote her film The Duchess.
De admired Collins for approaching the red carpet like a seasoned professional, even taking choreography lessons to perfect her walk and appearance.
“That’s called star power,” she said.
Notably, De contrasted Collins’ aura and preparation with what she sees as the increasingly hollow spectacle of celebrity fashion appearances at global events.
“No style, no substance”
The commentary ended with one final mic-drop line.
“The Met Gala is over. I think the party is over at Cannes too,” De declared, before adding: “No style, no substance, but a lot of garam hawa.”
That was brutal commentary even for the most strong hearted. Should we expect a comeback soon?
