Chaaya Kadam, Hridu Haroon, Kani Kusruti, Payal Kapadia and Divya Prabha attend the ‘All We Imagine As Light’ red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival. Photo Credit: Christy Sparrow
Indian actress Kani Kusruti showed solidarity with the victims of the war in Gaza while walking the red carpet for her film. We all imagine ourselves as light At the Cannes Film Festival.
Kani, one of the two lead actresses in Payal Kapadia’s film, which is in the running for the Palme d’Or, paired her outfit with a handbag shaped as a watermelon slice – a symbol of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation.
The fruit’s colours – red, green, white and black – resemble those of the Palestinian flag. It was used as an alternative political symbol after Israel banned the display of the flag following the Six Day War in 1967.
The photo went viral on the internet, as Kani was praised for her bravery, at a time when many actors in both India and Hollywood are shying away from taking a stand on the ongoing war.
Chaaya Kadam, Hridu Haroon, Kani Kusruti, Payal Kapadia and Divya Prabha at the ‘All We Imagine As Light’ red carpet | Photo Credit: Christy Sparrow
Kani Kusruti holding a watermelon-themed bag on the red carpet | Photo credit: Yara Nardi
Kani’s pouch was designed by Kochi-based designer Diya John, who also designed the rest of her outfit – a white bodycon silk dress.
John’s designer boutique, Salt Studio, shared a video of the making of the watermelon clutch.
Later, Kani spoke about this in a press conference. We all imagine ourselves as light“I wanted something similar,” Kani said, “so I asked my friend (John), who made it by hand.”
Earlier, Australian star Cate Blanchett wore her dress on the Cannes red carpet in tribute to the Palestinian flag. LearnerBlanchett wore a black gown with a white back and green hemwork. Combined with the red of the carpet, this created the colours of the Palestinian flag.
Australian actor-producer Cate Blanchett arrives for the screening of the film “The Apprentice” at the 77th Cannes Film Festival | Photo Credit: Samir El-Doumi
We all imagine ourselves as light It tells the story of two Malayali nurses living in Mumbai. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation and rave reviews when it was first screened in the main competition of the Cannes Film Festival. It is the first Indian film in 30 years to compete for the Palme d’Or, the top prize at Cannes.
