Nitanshi Goel Makes a Striking Cannes Debut

Rising star Nitanshi Goel, known for her acclaimed performance in the Oscar- nominated film Laapataa Ladies, made a remarkable debut on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday. At just 17 years old, the young actor left a lasting impression with her thoughtfully curated looks that celebrated Indian heritage and paid homage to legendary female figures of Hindi cinema.

For her first appearance at the India Pavilion, Nitanshi wore an elegant ivory saree styled with minimal accessories, allowing the craftsmanship of the outfit to shine. Her blouse, intricately hand-embroidered with pearls and beads, reflected traditional Indian heirloom artistry. The standout element of her ensemble, however, was her elaborate hairdo, which featured cascading pearl strands adorned with miniature photo frames of iconic Bollywood actresses. This unique accessory paid a heartfelt tribute to evergreen stars such as Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Rekha, Waheeda Rehman, Sridevi, Nutan, Hema Malini, and Vyjayanthimala.

Later in the evening, Nitanshi graced the Cannes red carpet once again—this time in a dramatic black gown with gold embroidery. Her second look, while bordering on the boundaries of Cannes' newly imposed dress code that discourages extravagant trains, was nonetheless a showstopper as she attended the screening of the film Dossier 137.

Speaking to Brut from the red carpet, an emotional Nitanshi expressed her excitement and gratitude: “I am feeling very excited. I have butterflies in my stomach. Oh my God! This really feels like a dream come true. It feels 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.”

The article is authored by Kripa C. Saji, a student of Loyala Academy and interning with Deccan Chronicle.