We’ve been trying—really trying—not to get distracted by the never-ending spectacle across the border. But sometimes, something so bewildering sashays into view that it demands attention, no matter how hard we try to look away.
Enter: Ruchi Gujjar at Cannes.
If you don’t know the name, you’re not alone. But chances are, now that you do, you won’t forget it anytime soon.
The model and aspiring actor appeared on the Cannes red carpet in an ensemble better suited to a high-octane bridal shoot than a global celebration of cinema. Drenched in gold, the lehenga boasted gota patti work, mirror embellishments, heavy kundan jewellery, and a dupatta draped modestly over her head — essentially, a bridal moment in the south of France.
But the real showstopper? A custom-made, statement necklace bearing not diamonds, not pearls, but portraits of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — multiple enamel lockets, each one nestled in lotus designs, dangling dramatically above her neckline.
Yes, Modi. On a necklace. At Cannes.
To her credit, Gujjar may have just invented an entirely new fashion genre: head-of-state haute couture. Because nothing says elegance like being flanked by floating faces of your political idol. One can only imagine she considers Modi not just the face of India, but the jewel in its crown — or in this case, the pride of her clavicle.
Patriotism wears many hats. Some wave flags, some write poetry, and some — as we now know — string together headshots of their prime minister into a statement necklace for an international red carpet. Bold, perhaps. Bizarre, definitely.
But India isn’t alone in politicising fashion. Pakistan too has long indulged in wearable politics — from lawn suits emblazoned with political slogans to campaign-themed kurtas. Yet, even in our most impassioned moments, we’ve never quite merged bridal wear with political memorabilia on an international stage. There’s patriotism, and then there’s… this.
Had it been satire, it might have passed as performance art. Sadly, it was earnest — and that’s what makes it so spectacularly strange. This wasn’t just a fashion misfire, it was a moment of unintended comedy dressed up as nationalist pride. A spectacle, not a statement.
The backlash has been swift. Online, many Indians have voiced their mortification — particularly over the necklace, which has managed to outshine even the most excessive elements of the outfit in terms of sheer cringe factor.
In the end, Gujjar may have wanted to stand out on the Cannes red carpet. She certainly succeeded. But what was meant to dazzle became a moment of global secondhand embarrassment.