Blue blooded on the red carpet
HT’s film critic Anupama Chopra tells us all about the fourth day at the Cannes Film Festival
It’s her fifth year at Cannes, and actor Sonam Kapoor is making sure everyone takes notice once again. From monochrome and exaggerated silhouettes to bold florals — Bollywood’s darling fashionista has done it all in the past, and this year too, the 29-year-old didn’t disappoint. The actor wore a blue gown with a draped bustle by British fashion house Ralph & Russo, with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti heels, finishing off with Old Hollywood chocolate hair and a scarlet lip.
Her choice of colour created quite a buzz online, and designer Manish Malhotra, who also used blue as a primary colour on the ramp this year, says he loved the royal choice. “I think Sonam looks fabulous and I especially love the fact that she has chosen the particular ink blue colour and let it take centrestage. Minimal accessories made her look modern, making for an understated style statement.” Designer Ritu Beri adds, “I think Sonam looks ultra glamorous. The colour choice is particularly unique and she is doing full justice to the look.”
Nachiket Barve, a designer Sonam has opted for in the past, also loved the actor’s Cannes look. “Sonam completely lives her look. The festival by its sheer nature allows one to push fashion boundaries, and Sonam is able to do so each time. She chose a label which is not relatively in your face with a ‘Veronica Lake meets couture at Cannes’ vibe. Because of her absolute confidence she pulls off the colour and the volume, without looking overwhelmed.” he says.
I think Sonam looks fabulous and I especially love the fact that she has chosen the particular ink blue colour and let it take centrestage Ritu Beri, fashion designer
If you’re boring, be boring. That was Sonam Kapoor’s priceless advice on how to shine on red carpets. She herself looked very far from boring on the Martinez terrace, where she was doing interviews. Dressed in an innovative Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla sari-dress, she looked smashing. But her advice on how to avoid red carpet misfires was simple – just be yourself. That’s the only way, she said, to bring your A-game to the red carpet.
The Martinez terrace was brimming with beauties but the most unique star was a hawk named Nemesis. She perched haughtily on the arm of a handler – apparently extremely necessary for keeping away the aggressive sea gulls who fly into the terrace to pick from the delicious food laid out. A few hours before Sonam and I chatted about fashion and red carpet, I was interviewing the iconic director, Costa-Gavras on the role of entertainment. Gavras is part of Cannes history – he won the jury prize for his 1968 classic, Z. He won the Palme D’Or for Missing in 1982. And he was part of the jury that gave the Palme D’Or to Taxi Driver in 1976. The 82-year-old director is back at the festival as a guest of honour in Cannes Classics. He was warm, effusive and humble. “Call me Costa,” he said. I couldn’t bring myself to say it so I addressed him as Sir. When I asked what the role of entertainment is, CostaGavras replied, “To guide the soul.”
Asif Kapadia’s new film, Amy (about the singer Amy Winehouse who died when she was only 27), is a film that guides the soul. It is, quite easily, the best film I’ve seen at Cannes this year. The Indian origin British director has created a layered portrait of talent, tragedy and the toxicity of fame. I also enjoyed Carol, directed by Todd Haynes, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as lovers in the 1950s. Both women delivered beautifully nuanced performances.
The highlight of the day was a party thrown by Tanweer, a leading distributor. At one point, music started and a belly dancer came shimmying through. Only in Cannes.