Indian actor Kani Kusruti displayed solidarity with the victims of the war in Gaza while walking the red carpet for her film All We Imagine As Light at the Cannes Film Festival.
Kani, one of the two leads in Payal Kapadia’s film, in the running for the Palme d’Or, complemented her outfit with a handbag shaped like a watermelon slice — a symbol of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation.
The colours of the fruit — red, green, white and black — mirror those of the Palestinian flag. It was used as an alternative political symbol after displays of the flag were banned by Israel following the six-day war in 1967.
The image broke the internet as Kani was praised for her bravery, at a time when many actors — both in India and Hollywood — have shied away from taking a stance on the ongoing war.
Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon, Kani Kusruti, Payal Kapadia and Divya Prabha attend the ‘All We Imagine As Light’ red carpet | Photo Credit: KRISTY SPAROW
Kani Kusruti holds a bag depicting a watermelon on the red carpet | Photo Credit: YARA NARDI
Kani’s pouch was crafted by Kochi-based designer Diya John, who also created the rest of her outfit - a white bodycon silk dress.
John’s designer boutique, Salt Studio, shared a video of how the watermelon clutch was created.
Later, Kani spoke about it at the press conference for All We Imagine as Light. “I wanted something like that,” Kani said, “So I asked my friend (John) who crafted it by hand.”
Earlier, Australian star Cate Blanchett had arranged her Cannes red carpet outfit as a tribute to the Palestinian flag. Attending the premiere of The Apprentice, Blanchett walked in a black gown with a white back and green hemwork. Combined with the red of the carpet itself, it formed the colours of the Palestinian flag.
Australian actor-producer Cate Blanchett arrives for the screening of the film “The Apprentice” at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival | Photo Credit: SAMEER AL-DOUMY
All We Imagine as Light tells the story of two Malayali nurses living in Mumbai. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation followed by glowing reviews as it premiered in the main competition of the Cannes Film Festival. It’s the first Indian film in 30 years to be competing for the Palme d’Or, the top prize at Cannes.
