May 16, 2025 : The 78th Cannes Film Festival is in full swing, and this year, South Asian talent is making waves on the global stage. From Laapataa Ladies breakout star Nitanshi Goel dazzling in her red carpet debut, to Indian films like Tanvi the Great and Homebound gearing up for international premieres—bolstered by none other than Martin Scorsese—Indian cinema is enjoying a landmark moment.
Amid the celebration, however, a social media controversy has stirred conversation, with Indian content creator and entrepreneur Kusha Kapila at its center.
A viral Instagram reel, using a clip from the comedy series The Studio featuring Seth Rogen and Catherine O’Hara, mocked influencers for allegedly attending Cannes just for photo ops—without watching a single screening. The video featured an image of Kusha Kapila from her 2023 appearance at Cannes, suggesting she too was one of those influencers merely “posing for the ‘Gram.”
Kusha swiftly responded in the comments, setting the record straight with grace and clarity. She explained that she did, in fact, attend the screening of The Idol and even endured two episodes of the critically panned show.
“I posted pictures and stories from inside the screening, so no, I didn’t just exit from the red carpet,” she wrote.
She also offered a broader perspective on influencer participation at Cannes, highlighting that brand sponsorships are a long-standing tradition—not a recent social media invention.
“Historically, companies HAVE sponsored celebrities and actors to walk the red carpet,” she added. “Brands buy the ticket. Title sponsors have ambassadors. It’s not some new influencer gimmick.”
But the most powerful part of her response came when she addressed the language used in the meme.
“Calling me out for not yet making a mark as an actor is fair, I will keep trying and take that on my chin. But please don’t refer to me as a random celebrity. Calling someone’s entire existence random is not cool. I am a creator. Call me that, please.”
Her statement has since resonated with fellow digital creators and fans alike, igniting a conversation around influencer legitimacy, evolving red carpet culture, and the right to claim space at prestigious events like Cannes.
As the spotlight at Cannes continues to shine, it’s clear that this year’s biggest moments aren’t just happening inside the theatres—they’re unfolding online, in real time, as creators challenge the old guard and redefine what it means to belong.