66th Cannes Film Festival – Look Book

Spotlight on Indian Cinema

In the footsteps of Egypt in 2011 and Brazil in 2012, 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival shines a spotlight on another great film-producing country: India. A major delegation will be present to mark the 100^th birthday of the Indian film industry. Held from the 15 – 26 May 2013, the festival will feature a gala screening of “Bombay Talkies“, a four-part feature by four contemporary Indian directors – Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar and Zoya Akhtar. And there will also be screenings of Amit Kumar‘s “Monsoon Shootout”, Ritesh Batra‘s “Lunch Box”, Anurag Kashyap‘s “Ugly” and Manjeet Singh‘s “Chenu”. India stands tall and glamorous in more ways than one. Amitabh Bachchan is there ; he has a small role, as he readily admits, in the festival’s opening film – The Great Gatsby, based on the Scott Fitzgerald masterpiece. Amitabh will be accompanied by wife Jaya Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwaria Rai, the latter a former International Competition juror. Satyajit Ray‘s timeless “Charulata” will screen at Cannes Classics in its new restored version.

Rocking, Shocking or Nothing – 66^th Cannes Bollywood Look Book!

As far as India is concerned, there is new talent emerging everyday! But besides films, Cannes is about style, fashion and looking beautiful on the red carpet. So we present to you the 66^th Annual Cannes Film Festival Look Book, a compilation of all the looks that rocked, shocked or did nothing at all to impress!

(Psst – Also check out some behind the scene snaps right at the bottom of the post)

DAY 1

Opening ceremony

Vidya Balan

Wearing a maroon and black Sabyasachi lehenga, perfectly offset by a pair of Amrapali jhumkas Vidya Balan looks majestically stunning! Keeping it very regal, the fine actress who also happens to be a part of the illustrious jury, sported her signature Indian style on the festival’s opening. The 35-year-old Balan is a symbol of the changing face of Indian film-making, having garnered a reputation as a risk-taking heroine in an industry where leading roles have traditionally been the preserve of men. Love the maroon shade on her, do you?

Verdict: Rocking

Sonam Kapoor & Freida Pinto

We have already raved about Sonam’s subtle & different look in the Huemn Sari inspired dress. Ms Kapoor does look lovely in the modern take on sari, not too loud or garish. Freida, on the other hand, kept it simple with a pretty emerald color dress. However not really digging her make-up.

Verdict: Sonam – Rocking ; Freida – Could have been Rocking

Amitabh Bachchan

Can someone please explain to me what in the world is Mr. Bachchan wearing? The flamboyant striped jacket looks like pyjamas! And the white pants + white shoes are completely out of place! Vikas Munipalle posted on twitter, “ Amitabh Bachchan is looking like a ward boy in a Mental Hospital managed by Karan Johar”. Oh Big B, please fire your stylist !

Verdict: Shocking !!!

Jury Photo Call

Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan declared that she will be only wearing Sabyasachi throughout the Cannes festival. While we feared she would start looking boring and same in the typical Sabyasachi sarees, she surprised us all! Vidya has definitely upped her style statement by turning up at the Jury Photo Call in a simple white sari. She was looking ethereal and it was good to see her standing with Stevan, Ang lee and Kidman!

Verdict: Rocking

The Great Gatsby Screening

Sonam Kapoor

If there is any person who knows how to perfectly get the attention of local and international media, it has to be none other than Sonam Kapoor. Wearing an Anamika Khanna white lace saree with a long embroidered jacket, Sonam looked stunning on the red carpet. Though I am a little uncertain about the jacket, what made the look stand out though was the pearl nose ring from Sunita K jewellery line, which was the only piece of jewellery that she added to the look. The nosering added an Indian touch to the international look. Now every other media is talking about her and the nose ring! We quite liked.

Verdict: Rocking

Vidya Balan

Guess we spoke too soon when we said Vidya had upped her styte statement. While we loved her first two appearances at Cannes, Vidya’s look for the the screening of The Great Gatsby left us a little disappointed. She was wearing another Sabyasachi lehenga and looked regal but what’s up with the dupatta on the head? Was she trying to pull of a Kanishta Dhankar below, who also walked the red carpet at Cannes in 2011?

And full sleeved blouses all the time? Come on Vidya, it does not hide the flabby arms! We bet some of the photographers there must have thought they were in presence of Royalty.

Verdict : Nothing

Amitabh Bachchan

Ok, Big B has honestly vowed to tremor us in every look of his at Cannes! Jazzing it up in a sequin tuxedo jacket with a bow-tie, Amitabh seems to be re-living his Yaarana days. Leonardo DiCaprio seems to be bonding well with our angry old man at the screening of The Great Gatsby but we so wish he would also share with him some styling tips? Anyway.

Verdict: Shocking !!

Freida pinto

Freida Pinto looks fresh and her skin is simply glowing in this hot pink halter Gucci gown. Loved the beaded belt and her gold sandals. She completed her look with a braided side bun and jewellery from Chopard.

Verdict: Rocking

Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat also walked the red carpet in a loud gold beaded dress. Despite keeping the hair-do & ornaments subtle, we felt Mallika’s gown was very tacky!! What more, she teamed up the golden dress with gold earrings, a gold clutch and silver sandals. Mallika also opted for a wrong choice of foundation on her skin.

Verdict: Shocking

Gala Dinner

Sonam Kapoor

The Gala Dinner was supposed to be a private affair but the only person whose pictures were doing rounds on the net was that of Sonam Kapoor’s! And that’s because she herself instagrammed the pictures before leaving for the Cannes Gala dinner. Sonam looks pretty in the pink lacy Elie Saab dress. The colour is a knockout on Sonam. Sleek, straight hair, pink lipstick and cute ankle-strapped pumps finished her look.

Verdict : Rocking

Day 2

Juene & Jolie Premiere

Sonam Kapoor

Simple hair and make-up did the trick! This has to be Sonam Kapoor’s best look on Cannes so far. Whatever her compunctions are as an actor, she totally nails it as a fashionista! We loved her traditional look yesterday but this one takes the cake! Love the hair today. Wearing a beautiful floral Dolce & Gabbana voluminous dress, Sonam completed her look with pretty printed pumps and a necklace by Sunita Kapoor.

Verdict: Rocking !!

Vidya Balan

Vidya has a beautiful face. She looks confident and radiant in yet another Sabyasachi Sari but Vidya, what’s up with the nose ring? The huge nose ring does not gel with the hairdo or the outfit. Unlike in Sonam’s case yesterday, Vidya’s nose ring seems pretty out of place. Besides, there’s no variation – the same hair, same choice of sari. We feel Vidya could have done so much more with her hairstyle, jewelry or even worn the sari a little differently. And why the two big shocking necklaces?

Verdict: Shocking! (..and disappointing)

Freida Pinto

Freida steals the show here. She looks absolutely stunning in the beaded Sanchita gown. It’s simple, romantic and above all a good shout out to an Indian designer on an International platform. Love the side knot and ruby lips complemented the gown perfectly. The metallic colour looked great on her and she completed her look with strappy sandals and a silver clutch.

Verdict: Rocking!!

Chopard After Party

Sonam Kapoor

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the beautiful set of gorgeous Chopard diamond necklace on Sonam. At the Chopard after party, Sonam wore a grey/black lacy lehenga by Shela Khan. Not a fan of the lehenga. Simply nothing too great!

Verdict: Nothing

Day 3

Media Call

Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor looks gorgeous in a white Elie Saab dress and blazer as she was attending her media calls at Cannes 2013. Sonam is representing the brand L’Oreal Paris at Cannes and has been doing so, for the past three years. Loved the classy outfit but did not like the smokey eyes for a day-time look though! Will update with better pictures soon.

Verdict: Rocking

Day 5

Media Call

Aishwarya Rai

Finally we see Aishwarya Rai at Cannes 2013! Dressed in a sleek white YSL corporate blouse and Zac Posen black skirt with an Armani belt, Aishwarya looked really good! Although personally, I felt that the mermaid tail was not quite neccessary and even a knee length skirt would have worked, Aishwarya is a stunning woman with a beautiful face and no bad costume or fake accent can change what she is born with! *Yikes, no sarcasm intended*! I love you Ash.

Verdict: Rocking

The screening of Inside Llewyn Davis

Vidya Balan

Ok I have to say, this is by far, my favorite appearance of Vidya Balan at Cannes. The loosely tied hair is much more flattering this way and the less severe blouse certainly makes a huge difference to her entire look. Vidya wore another Sabyasachi Sari – this time she chose a mehendi coloured. Absolutely love the earrings and the simple black bindi added to the overall elegant look. Well, done Vidya!

Verdict: Rocking

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai looks so stunning and all Victorian in this black Elie Saab Couture gown. I felt a sense of déjà vu about the look as it was somewhat similar to her navy blue Cavalli dress look in 2012. Take a look below:

But of course she looks much better this year! The make-up is great though I wished for a hotter lip color like bright red would perhaps have been sexier! And the hair could have been tied up high probably, looks a tad bit overwhelming for the gown! But nevertheless, rocking for us!

Verdict: Rocking

Mallika Sherawat

Oh wow! Mallika has totally killed it with this gown. Doesn’t she look stunning? Can’t believe it was the same Ms Sherawat who gave us a heart-attack by wearing this some time ago. Well, definitely a vast improvement – Mallika does look gorgeous in the strapless black lace Dolce & Gabbana gown!

Verdict: Rocking

Nandita Das

Wearing her lovely smile, Nandita Das is wearing a non-designer sari on the red carpet at Cannes 2013. And she looks great! Actress-Director Nandita Das, along with Vidya Balan is part of the Cinefondation jury this year. I love the colour combination and the subtle jaipuri print on the saree. The elegant jewellery added onto the simplicity of the entire look.

Verdict: Rocking

Gala celebrating hundred years of Indian cinema

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya chose to wear a Sabyasachi couture black & gold lehenga-sari for the gala dinner at Cannes and we felt it was quite a downer. Ok Sabysachi, you need to tell us what is the fascination with full sleeves & high neck blouses? Traditional is good but they do nothing for the beautiful women (Aishwarya & Vidya) who wore them at Cannes this year. As much as I think Ash look gorgeous (face-wise), a lighter blouse for such a heavy sari would have made a world of difference. These blouses make both Vidya and Ash look huge. Not digging Ash’s hairstyle either. Tiara, seriously?

Verdict: Shocking

Day 6

At the premiere of Cleopatra

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai looks stunning in the blue Gucci Premiere gown. What I loved most about the look was her pink lips and subtle eye makeup. As we have mainly seen Ash in black and white so far, the gown made for a welcome change as well! But OMG that hair! We honestly wished she could have gone for a nicer hairdo! The hair looks good from only a certain angle. It just looks way too awkward. While a lose bun or side French braid would have been much better, we will give it to Ash for putting on a dash of blue on the red carpet successfully!

Verdict: Rocking (Except the hair)

At ‘Blood Ties’ Premiere

Aishwarya Rai

Just when we thought Ash was doing pretty well on the red carpet on Cannes 2013, Aishwarya went the Indian route wearing a never-ending long and huge anaarkali by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. While the sutble colour looks classy on the red carpet, we feel that the heavy gown makes ash look very large. And not a fan of the floral print! Face wise Ash looks gorgeous, no second thoughts! But the gown was disappointing. Only saving grace we are thankful for- it’s not another bling-bling Abu Jani!

Verdict: Nothing

Un Chateau en Italie Premiere

Vidya Balan

At first glance, I loved the regal red colour on Vidya Balan. In a red Sabyasachi sari and pearl jewelry by House of Surana coupled with a Ferragamo bag, Vidya did look quite elegant. However, somehow I am just torn apart about this look. Sticking to a certain personal style statement is one thing but repeating the same look again and again is getting boring now! While we wish to see Vidya step out of her comfort zone, we will still give to her – after all, fashion is all about whatever one is comfortable in! Do you buy it? Mmmhh.

Verdict: Rocking

Bombay Talkies Screening

Zoya Akhtar

Wow, I have never seen the petite Zoya Akhtar don a saree before. I think it was quite a surprise package to see this appearance an of the ace director in a Manish Malhotra Sari. Different!

Media Call

Aishwarya Rai

What a hot mess! A black vest on a lace black blouse and straight cut pants to conceal the paunch, red lips and shades over the head…too many things asking for attention! Not digging the black ensemble at all!

Verdict: Shocking

Day 7

At the Premiere of Shortcut Romeo

Ameesha Patel

Ameesha Patel looks gorgeous in the beautiful white and red Manish Malhotra anaarkali-lehenga. I personally loved the neck design of the blouse. It gives a modern touch to the otherwise a fully desi look. Ameesha got her hair, makeup and overall look just right for a day event. She is at Cannes for her the premiere of her upcoming film Shortcut Romeo. Especially love the chikankari and kashmiri embroidery on the lehenga.

Our Verdict: Rocking!

At the Cinefondation Jury Photo Call

Nandita Das

While everyone is busy decking up in designer gowns and sarees, Nandita Das prefers to keep it simple with a radiant yellow churidaar and a small red bindi. No pretense, no drama – just modest and classy. We love!

Verdict: Rocking

Only God Forgives Premiere

Nandita Das

Once again Ms Das looks elegant in a deep violet and jade coloured dual-shaded silk saree. Makeup was kept at minimal and hair was perfect for a night event. We however wished if Nandita could have rather opted for a slightly heavier kundan jewellery. What do you think?

Our verdict: Rocking

All Is Lost Premiere

Ameesha Patel

Ameesha Patel wore yet another Manish Malhotra Anaarkali-Lehenga. The outfit is beautiful yes, but the makeup!!! Why Ameesha, why do you aspire to look like Casper the ghost? It looks like she emptied a whole tub of white powder on her face! Sigh. If only Ameesha kept her foundation slightly more natural with a light pink lip gloss and gotten rid of those glaring contact lenses! Anyway, you know what – I still like her hairdo and she looks elegant in a full-length picture. So I will close one eye and give it to her. AT LEAST… she’s improving from this.

Our verdict: Rocking for overall look, shocking for the face!

Puja Gupta

Puja Gupta has a lovely face but we wonder why she picked such a weird gown for the Cannes red carpet? Puja is wearing Gauri and Nainika and to be honest, we do not like this dress at all. The off-white colour looks bland on the red carpet and completely washes her out. And the unnecessary frills sticking out of the dress look a tad bit tacky. We also completely disliked the weird diamond pattern placed right on the centre of the gown. Perfect case of beautiful woman and bad outfit? Sorry, Puja!

Our verdict: Shocking

Day 8
At amfAR’s 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS

Aishwarya Rai

It’s for a reason they call her the most beautiful woman in the world! Aishwarya looks breathtaking in the gold ensemble by Tarun Tahiliani. The amfAR gala this year will feature a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor with a gold themed fashion show. So sticking to the theme, Ash wore a bronzy-gold shaded sari with gold earrings and a tightly-bound, towering hairdo. Except for the hair, the look rocked for me!

Verdict: Rocking

Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat picked a really awkward-looking Dolce & Gabbana gown. The colour is fine but shockingly enough, the gown just gathers and concentrates on her tummy which makes the overall look very shapeless and weird. Couldn’t find explanations!

Verdict: Shocking

Day 10

Closing Ceremony

Nandita Das

There is nothing quite we dislike about the look. Nandita Das, as usual appears radiant in yet another golden-auburn silk saree.  She’s just so graceful !

Verdict: Rocking

Vidya Balan

Much has been said about the talented actress. In all her appearances so far, she has dressed way too old for her age and most of her outfits looked the same – boring & predictable. BUT, I have to give it to Vidya Balan for having such a radiant personality that overshadows some of her hideous garments. Being on the jury is a huge honor and we respect the actress for this! At the closing ceremony of the 66^th Cannes Film Festival 2013, Vidya wore a Sabyasachi Anaarkali coupled with a shimmering sequin dupatta. Braided hair and a matching clutch completed her look.

All I can say is – Sabyasachi, we are a little tired of the full sleeves and high neck. But Vidya Balan manages to hold her own on the red carpet at all times because of her personality. She is a really down to earth lady and has the ability to laugh at herself. And that makes anyone a winner in any costume. So we’ll give it to her for this last look at Cannes!

Verdict: Rocking

Some Behind-The-Scenes Snaps

So, this completes our Cannes 2013 LookBook ! Tell us who rocked for you at Cannes! And if you like this post, don’t forget to click the follow button on the top right side bar to continue receiving more exciting fashion scoops. You can also follow us on Twitter to stay updated on latest Bollywood news, entertainment, beauty and lifestyle updates! Xoxo