The Cannes Red Carpet Was Deepika Padukone’s Playground

As a Cannes jury member this year, Indian actor Deepika Padukone’s schedule was jam-packed with screenings, panel discussions, and parties. Jury duty (the enjoyable kind) aside, Padukone is also a bonafide red carpet star, so you could say she had extra pressure to deliver glamorous looks this week. She certainly didn’t disappoint. With the assistance of her go-to stylist, Shaleena Nathani, Padukone experimented with a variety of different silhouettes, and played with extreme proportions. Nobody seemed to have more fun on the red carpet than Padukone.

Padukone kicked off the festival on an elevated casual note, when she hit the jury members’ official photo call in a Sabyasachi silky shirt, high-waisted green trousers, and an ornate statement necklace. Later that night, for a screening of The Final Cut, she changed into a more formal gown by the label—a sari-inspired silhouette that was striped and embellished with sequins. It was a thoughtful (and stylish) nod to her own roots.

For her various film premieres throughout the week, Padukone has continued to gravitate towards bold shapes that command the paparazzi’s attention. At the premiere of Armageddon Time last week, for instance, she wore a red Louis Vuitton gown with a peplum waist. At a screening of The Innocent this week, she slipped into Ashi Studio’s one-shouldered gown in tangerine, complete with dramatic ruffles. Her willingness to take risks and venture into more daring territory—whether it be voluminous shapes or strong colors—has been entirely refreshing to witness against a sea of glitzy gowns.

As for her look for the closing ceremony last night? She wore an ethereal, custom creation by the notable Indian designer Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, which was ruched in all the right places and complete with a hefty pearl collar. Only one word came to mind: Heavenly.

Below, more of Padukone’s best Cannes looks.