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Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor turned heads as she made her long-awaited debut at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, walking the red carpet for the premiere of her film Homebound. Accompanied by her co-stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, and director Neeraj Ghaywan, Janhvi’s appearance was more than just a fashion moment-it was a heartfelt homage to her late mother, the iconic Sridevi.

A couture masterpiece with roots in banaras

Janhvi donned a custom creation by renowned Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani. The blush pink ensemble was no ordinary lehenga-it was a thoughtfully reimagined couture piece blending tradition with contemporary flair. Woven from real tissue fabric sourced from Banaras, the outfit featured a voluminous handwoven skirt and a corset top. Its unique appeal lay in the 'hand-crushed' finish, which added both movement and texture, transforming the fabric into what many called 'poetry in motion.'

The silhouette also featured a ghoonghat, a traditional veil, adding a vintage nod to Indian bridal aesthetics. The designer deliberately left the hem raw and uncut to celebrate the authenticity of Indian weaving traditions.

Styled by family, Inspired by legacy

The look was curated by Janhvi’s cousin and stylist, Rhea Kapoor, who ensured every element paid tribute to Sridevi’s timeless elegance. Many fans drew parallels between Janhvi’s look and the grace of legendary royals like Maharani Gayatri Devi, with one admirer commenting, 'She’s channeling the spirit of both a queen and a superstar.”

Janhvi wasn’t just at Cannes for the fashion. Her film Homebound, co-starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, is set to premiere in the Un Certain Regard category, a prestigious section that showcases original and artistically daring works. The team was seen leaving their hotel together, radiating excitement and camaraderie ahead of their big moment.

Online Reactions

As expected, Janhvi’s look sparked a flurry of reactions online. While many lauded the outfit’s elegance and emotional significance, others were less impressed. 'The Royals we needed,” read one glowing comment. Another wrote, “She’s giving a perfect fusion of elegance and nostalgia.”

However, critics weren’t silent. Some users felt the color was too muted for Janhvi’s complexion, with one comment stating, “It completely washes her out.” Others found the look underwhelming or too bridal, One user said, "Feels like she is attending her best friend wedding. I mean who wears this fabric to Cannes."