May 16, 2025: Rising star Nitanshi Goel, who captured hearts with her performance in Laapataa Ladies, made a dazzling debut on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet this Thursday. At just 17 years old, the young actor made a powerful statement by blending heritage, glamour, and tribute into her striking red carpet looks.
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For her first appearance at the India Pavilion, Nitanshi turned heads in an ivory saree adorned with handcrafted pearls and bead detailing, a nod to India’s timeless craftsmanship. But what truly stole the show was her hair accessory — a series of pins featuring portraits of legendary Hindi cinema actresses, including Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Rekha, Waheeda Rehman, Sridevi, Nutan, Hema Malini, and Vyjayanthimala. Styled by Shrey and Urja, the look paid homage to the icons who paved the way for generations of women in Indian cinema.
Later in the evening, Nitanshi returned to the red carpet wearing an elegant black gown with gold embroidery, exuding vintage drama and modern sophistication. She attended the screening of the film Dossier 137, continuing her whirlwind introduction to global cinema’s most prestigious festival. Her dramatic gown flirted with Cannes’ newly revised dress code that discourages overly extravagant designs with long trains — but it didn’t stop her from making a grand impression.
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Speaking from the red carpet, a visibly thrilled Nitanshi shared:
“I am feeling very excited. I have butterflies in my stomach. Oh my God! This really feels like a dream come true… It’s incredibly special to be here at Cannes this year. It’s my first time, and I am feeling very overwhelmed, and very grateful to be able to represent India on the global stage.”
Nitanshi’s red carpet moment marks a major milestone not just for her personal career, but also for a new generation of Indian talent rising onto the global scene.
This year’s Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13 to May 24, will also see appearances from several major Indian celebrities, including Alia Bhatt (also making her Cannes debut), Aishwarya Rai, Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sharmila Tagore, whose classic film Aranyer Din Ratri will be screened.
India’s presence at Cannes continues to grow stronger, and with young stars like Nitanshi Goel leading the way, the future of Indian cinema on the global stage looks brighter than ever.