Indian actress and model Ruchi Gujjar turned heads at the Cannes Film Festival not just with her fashion choices, but with a strong social message against the forced ghunghat (veil) tradition still practised in parts of rural India.
Walking the prestigious Cannes red carpet in a vibrant traditional Rajasthani outfit, Ruchi used her appearance to spark conversations about women’s freedom, dignity and choice, reported India Today.
Dressed in a striking fuchsia pink Rajputi poshak designed by Roopa Sharma, the actress wore a translucent ghunghat-inspired veil partially covering her face, layered with heavy Kundan jewellery, bangles and lotus-inspired accessories. While the look celebrated Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage, the symbolism behind the veil carried a deeper message.
Rather than treating the ghunghat as merely a fashion element, Ruchi said she wanted to highlight the difference between embracing tradition voluntarily and being forced into it due to social pressure.
“My ghunghat is a symbol of respect and my pride, but never a sentence of my silence,” she said during the festival.
Coming from Rajasthan herself, Ruchi said the issue was deeply personal.
“I did not wear the ghunghat as a symbol of silence. I wore it as a symbol of resistance,” she said. “A woman’s dignity should come from equality, confidence and freedom – not from hiding her face.”
She added that if her Cannes appearance could start even one meaningful conversation about women trapped under restrictive traditions, then the walk would have served a purpose beyond glamour and fashion.
“Culture should empower women, not erase them. Tradition should evolve with time. Respect should never demand invisibility,” she said.
Ruchi also urged stronger awareness campaigns and policy attention to address forced veiling practices in rural areas. She expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would continue pushing reforms aimed at women’s empowerment and equality.
“Women deserve equal freedom, respect and opportunities in society,” she said. “I hope stronger awareness is created against forced Ghunghat Pratha.”
Her appearance quickly generated attention across social media, with many users praising the actress for using an international platform like Cannes to raise awareness about women’s rights and social pressures faced by women in conservative communities, reported NDTV.
This is not the first time Ruchi has made headlines at Cannes with a statement-making look. Last year, she attracted widespread attention after appearing in a glittering gold lehenga paired with a custom necklace featuring lockets carrying images of Prime Minister Modi.
