The ongoing 79th Cannes Film Festival 2026 has witnessed several Indian celebrities taking over the French Riviera in breathtaking traditional ensembles. However, actress Urvashi Rautela’s recent red carpet appearance has ignited an entirely different conversation online.
Stepping out in a dramatic ethnic look, the self-proclaimed “first Indian actress” to hit multiple milestones found herself at the center of an aggressive social media storm. Fashion watchdogs and internet sleuths immediately accused her of delivering a frame-for-frame replica of supermodel Gigi Hadid’s iconic white-and-gold appearance from the 2023 Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) gala in Mumbai.
The Copycat Blueprint
At first glance, Urvashi’s outfit was designed to command attention, channeling an elegant, old-world regal aesthetic. However, the uncanny similarities to Gigi’s three-year-old look made it impossible for fashion enthusiasts to ignore. Netizens quickly pointed out that the replication extended far beyond a simple coincidence in the color palette, noting a deliberate mirror image across almost every styling choice.
| Fashion Element | Gigi Hadid’s NMACC Look (2023) | Urvashi Rautela’s Cannes Look (2026) |
| The Ensemble | Custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla ivory Chikankari saree with an ornate gold border. | An identical ivory-draped fabric accented by a shimmering gold borders. |
| The Blouse | A structural, heavily embellished golden South Indian-temple-inspired jewel blouse. | A highly intricate, metallic gold embroidered blouse mimicking the same regal silhouette. |
| Accessories & Hair | Stacked traditional gold kadas, statement jewelry, and soft, clean waves. | Layered heavy statement jewelry paired with vintage-inspired Old Hollywood waves. |
Diet Sabya Declares “Gandi Copy” as the Internet Unleashes Hilarious “Gamla” Memes
The controversial look caught the attention of India’s notorious anonymous fashion watchdog, Diet Sabya. Taking to Instagram, the page ignited a viral roast session with a sarcastic caption: “I say URVA, you say … sheeeee err … GIGI???” followed by a brutal jab about “bringing back Gandi Copy through fashion necromancy.” The comment section exploded instantly, with users questioning if the original designers, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, could legally sue for copyright infringement.
Adding fuel to the comedic fire was Urvashi’s choice of an auxiliary prop. The actress walked the carpet clutching an unusual, highly reflective structured metallic accessory. Social media users immediately transformed the piece into meme material, comparing it to everything from a “thermocol ka gamla” (styrofoam flower pot) to a luxury planter snatched from a hotel lobby.
Fandoms Rebel Against the Repetitive Titles
The trolling intensified as netizens weaponized Urvashi’s historical habit of using grandiose titles for her social media captions. X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with satirical commentary mocking her branding style. “First Indian woman to copy Gigi and carry a gamla to Cannes,” one viral tweet read.
Another commenter chimed in, asking, “Did she honestly think the internet would collectively forget one of the most photographed pop-culture saree moments in recent history?” Despite the brutal critique regarding her lack of original style, Urvashi continues to secure high-profile red carpet access on the French coast, ensuring her spot as one of the most polarizing and talked-about Indian figures at Cannes 2026.