The Cannes Film Festival red carpet is no stranger to drama. Bollywood actress Ruchi Gujjar turned heads and tempers at the 2025 event with a daring fashion statement that split global opinion. Clad in a resplendent Rajasthani lehenga dripping with golden embroidery, Gujjar’s traditional ensemble initially drew applause for its cultural grandeur. But all eyes quickly snapped to her neck, where a custom-made necklace, inspired by the one famously worn by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ignited a firestorm of debate.
The actress’s bold accessory, crafted to mirror Modi’s signature kada, transformed from a glittering tribute into a lightning rod for controversy. Supporters erupted in praise, flooding social media with hashtags like #PatriotismOnCannes and hailing the move as a “bold salute to India’s global rise.” One fan gushed, “She’s not just wearing jewellery, she’s wearing national pride!”
Critics, however, slammed the gesture as a blatant politicisation of art. “Cannes is about cinema, not campaigning,” fumed a veteran filmmaker, while opposition voices accused Gujjar of “reducing a prestigious platform to a political billboard.” Fashion circles split too: purists groaned over “stylistic overreach,” while avant-garde designers defended the necklace as “fashion’s power to provoke.”
Gujjar, meanwhile, remained unfazed. “Art has no borders, but my heart beats for India,” she told reporters, her tone poised amid the chaos. The fallout was instant. Memes exploded, think pieces dissected the “necklace heard ’round the world,” and Modi’s name trended globally for hours.
Whether a clever publicity stunt or a heartfelt homage, Gujjar’s Cannes moment ensured her place in the festival’s history, not just as a style icon, but as a provocateur who dared to blur the lines between patriotism and politics. As debates rage on, one truth remains: in the age of viral statements, no piece of jewellery will ever be “just a necklace” again.
One thing’s certain: In Cannes history, no necklace will ever carry more weight.
