Indian actresses at next week’s Cannes Film Festival will fly the flag for their nation through their clothes, with Sonam Kapoor, attending for the third time as a L’Oreal ambassador, and Ameesha Patel, planning to wear saris. “I always walk two red carpets for Cannes and make it a point to wear an Indian outfit on at least one occasion,” said Kapoor. “I had previously worn Masaba Gupta and Anamika. I will wear an Indian outfit for sure for one or both the red carpet events.” Kapoor was unveiling L’Oreal’s Bollywood inspired looks for the festival. “I am excited to be walking the red carpet in the opening ceremony,” she added. Freida Pinto and Aishwarya Rai will also walk the red carpet this year, while Vidya Balan is on the festival jury.

Patel’s upcoming film, Shortcut Romeo, which also features Neil Nitin Mukesh and Puja Gupta, will premiere at the festival on May 22. The 27-year-old will make her festival debut in Manish Malhotra. “It is a huge honour for me to be representing our cinema at Cannes. I am not going there as a brand ambassador. I am going there for my movie and that is a big deal. Manish and I have decided that since I am representing the country on a global platform, it would be perfect to be dressed in something that’s truly desi,” she said in a statement

“Nothing looks better on an Indian woman than a sari or lehenga. I have to walk the red carpet in the morning and the premiere is at night, so there will be two outfits,” added the actress, known for hits such as Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Gadar — Ek Prem katha. Malhotra is making sure she has a perfect red carpet look. “Keeping in mind Ameesha’s complexion and personality, we have given her something very Indian yet a perfect red carpet look. Black and white and classic colours have been incorporated in her outfit that is high on Kashmiri and Chikankari work. We have also kept in mind the summer trends internationally,” he said.