Soniya Bansal's Radha Rani Cannes debut: 'Wanted to reflect my Indian roots'
Synopsis
Bigg Boss 17 fame Soniya Bansal arrived at Cannes 2025 not just as a celebrity guest but as the face of an environmental film — dressed in a mythology-inspired bespoke lehenga-saree by Dolly J, channelling Radha Rani with peacock feather details and uncut diamond jewellery. A debut that fused Indian spiritual imagery with global red-carpet ambition.
Key Takeaways
Soniya Bansal made her debut at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2025 .
She wore a bespoke pastel pink lehenga-saree hybrid by designer Dolly J , inspired by Radha Rani .
The look featured emerald and uncut diamond jewellery , traditional bangles, alta, and a peacock feather in her hair.
Bansal attended Cannes to represent her environmental film 'The Last Breath' , which focuses on deforestation in India.
She said the look took hours of detailed preparation to perfect 'from the outfit and jewellery to the spiritual essence behind it.'
Actor Soniya Bansal, best known for her appearance on Bigg Boss 17, made a striking debut at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on 21 May, turning heads on the red carpet with a look inspired by Radha Rani from Indian mythology. She attended the prestigious festival to represent her environmental film 'The Last Breath'.
The Look: A Bespoke Ode to Indian Mythology
For her Cannes debut, Bansal chose a bespoke creation by designer Dolly J — a pastel pink lehenga-saree hybrid adorned with intricate white floral embroidery and delicate gold detailing, complemented by a sheer dupatta draped gracefully over her head. The ensemble drew clear inspiration from the imagery of Radha Rani, the divine consort of Lord Krishna in Hindu tradition.
Completing the regal look were emerald and uncut diamond jewellery, traditional bangles, and a subtle alta accent on her hands. A soft, dewy makeup palette with defined eyes and a minimal bindi rounded off the aesthetic. Notably, a peacock feather woven into her hair served as a symbolic nod to Indian mythology — the peacock feather being closely associated with Lord Krishna and Radha Rani.
What Soniya Said About Her Cannes Debut
Speaking about the experience, Bansal said, 'Walking the Cannes red carpet feels truly magical. The city's charm, energy, and love for cinema make every moment unforgettable. For my Cannes debut, I wanted to embody the grace and divinity of Radha Rani while proudly reflecting my Indian roots with global elegance.'
On the meticulous preparation behind the look, she added, 'It took hours of detailed preparation to perfect every element of the look — from the outfit and jewellery to the spiritual essence behind it. This is a dream moment I will always cherish.'
About 'The Last Breath'
Bansal's film 'The Last Breath' centres on the urgent issue of deforestation, exploring both the emotional and environmental consequences of large-scale tree loss across India. Her presence at Cannes signals a deliberate pivot toward cause-driven cinema, aligning personal values with her professional choices on a global stage.
The Bigger Picture: Indian Designers at Cannes
Bansal's choice of a homegrown designer reflects a growing trend of Indian celebrities championing domestic fashion on international red carpets. This comes amid heightened global attention on Indian cinema and its cultural exports, with Cannes increasingly serving as a platform for Indian talent to assert a distinct aesthetic identity — rooted in tradition yet calibrated for a worldwide audience.
Point of View
She is positioning herself as something more than a reality TV alumna. Whether 'The Last Breath' gains meaningful traction at Cannes or beyond will determine if this debut translates into a genuine career inflection point, or remains a well-executed red-carpet exercise. The growing pattern of Indian celebrities using Cannes to reclaim cultural identity through homegrown designers deserves scrutiny too — it is increasingly a PR strategy as much as a personal conviction.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Soniya Bansal and why was she at Cannes 2025?
Soniya Bansal is an actor known for her participation in Bigg Boss 17. She attended the 79th Cannes Film Festival to represent her environmental film 'The Last Breath', which addresses deforestation and its emotional and ecological impact in India.
What did Soniya Bansal wear at Cannes 2025?
She wore a bespoke pastel pink lehenga-saree hybrid by designer Dolly J, featuring white floral embroidery, gold detailing, and a sheer dupatta. The look was completed with emerald and uncut diamond jewellery, traditional bangles, alta on her hands, and a peacock feather in her hair.
What is the significance of the Radha Rani look?
The look drew inspiration from Radha Rani, the divine consort of Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology. The peacock feather detail in Bansal's hair is a symbol closely associated with Lord Krishna and Radha Rani in Indian tradition.
What is Soniya Bansal's film 'The Last Breath' about?
'The Last Breath' is an environmental film that focuses on the pressing issue of deforestation, highlighting both the emotional and ecological consequences of large-scale tree loss across India.
Who designed Soniya Bansal's Cannes outfit?
The outfit was a bespoke creation by Indian designer Dolly J — a pastel pink lehenga-saree hybrid with intricate embroidery and gold detailing, crafted specifically for Bansal's Cannes red carpet debut.
