Vada Pav at Cannes 2025: Iulia Vantur spots Mumbai street food on menu
Synopsis
Mumbai's most democratic snack — the vada pav — showed up at Cannes 2025, rebranded as a 'Vada Brioche Bun' with pickled onion and fried chilli. Iulia Vantur caught it on camera, and the moment became an unlikely emblem of Indian soft power at the world's most glamorous film festival.
Key Takeaways
Iulia Vantur spotted vada pav on a Cannes 2025 event menu on 21 May , listed as 'Vada Brioche Bun.' The dish was described as 'Mumbai's beloved vada pav, served in buttery brioche with pickled onion and fried chilli.' Vantur is at Cannes for the screening of her film Echoes of Us , directed by Joe Ranjan and co-starring Deepak Tijori .
She was visibly moved by Romanian fans who waited for her on the red carpet.
Vantur wore a turquoise and gold traditional Indian ensemble at the festival.
Singer and actress Iulia Vantur on Wednesday, 21 May, delighted fans when she discovered Mumbai's iconic street food, vada pav, featured on the menu at a Cannes 2025 event — rebranded as a 'Vada Brioche Bun' for the international audience. The sighting offered a vivid snapshot of Indian street food earning its place on one of the world's most glamorous stages.
Mumbai's Favourite Snack Goes Global
The description card at the food counter read: 'Mumbai's beloved vada pav, served in buttery brioche with pickled onion and fried chilli.' The menu also noted that the dish contained dairy and gluten. Vantur, clearly amused and pleasantly surprised, shared footage of the counter with her followers, giving them a front-row look at how Indian culinary culture is quietly crossing borders.
Iulia's Cannes Appearance and Film Promotions
Vantur is at Cannes for the screening and promotions of her film Echoes of Us, alongside director Joe Ranjan and co-star Deepak Tijori. In a separate video she shared from the festival, she appeared in an elegant turquoise and gold traditional Indian ensemble, drawing attention on the Croisette.
Romania's Warm Reception on the Red Carpet
Speaking about her experience at Cannes, Vantur described being moved by the turnout of fans from her home country Romania. 'Romania has been such an important part of my journey. I share a connection that is very deep and emotional,' she said.
She added that seeing Romanian fans wait for her on the red carpet was particularly touching. 'They came up, wanted to talk, share a hug — it felt so warm and genuine,' she said. Vantur also noted the outpouring of affection from Indian fans and audiences worldwide, saying, 'When people welcome you with such warmth and smiles, it reassures you that what you're doing is connecting with them. And that's the most beautiful feeling any artist can ask for.'
Indian Culture Making Its Mark at Cannes
The vada pav moment is part of a broader pattern of Indian cultural touchpoints gaining visibility at Cannes in recent years — from Indian designers dressing global stars to Indian films competing in prestigious sections. The presence of Mumbai street food, however humble in origin, on a Cannes event menu underscores how far India's soft power has travelled. For Vantur, who bridges India and Romania through her work, the discovery was both symbolic and personal.
Point of View
But it points to something larger: Indian street food is no longer just a diaspora comfort — it is being curated for global fine-casual settings. That a Mumbai staple costing under ₹20 at home is being plated in brioche on the Croisette says as much about India's rising cultural cachet as any red-carpet appearance. For Iulia Vantur, who occupies a rare cross-cultural space between India and Romania, the discovery was almost too on-the-nose — a metaphor for the fusion identity she herself represents. Whether this is a one-off novelty or the start of a sustained Indian culinary presence at elite global events is worth watching.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was vada pav served at Cannes 2025?
Vada pav was served at an event during the Cannes 2025 film festival, listed on the menu as 'Vada Brioche Bun' — described as Mumbai's beloved vada pav in a buttery brioche with pickled onion and fried chilli. Singer and actress Iulia Vantur shared footage of the food counter on her social media.
Who is Iulia Vantur and why is she at Cannes 2025?
Iulia Vantur is a Romanian-born singer and actress based in India. She is attending Cannes 2025 for the screening and promotions of her film Echoes of Us, alongside director Joe Ranjan and co-star Deepak Tijori.
What did Iulia Vantur say about her Cannes experience?
Vantur said she was deeply moved by Romanian fans who waited for her on the red carpet, describing the moment as 'warm and genuine.' She also spoke about feeling love from Indian fans and audiences worldwide, calling it 'the most beautiful feeling any artist can ask for.'
What is the significance of vada pav appearing at Cannes?
The appearance of vada pav — Mumbai's iconic street snack — on a Cannes event menu reflects the growing global visibility of Indian food and culture. It is part of a broader trend of Indian culinary and creative influences gaining recognition at major international platforms.
