Indian influencer Aarti Khetarpal brings a glimpse of Vrindavan to Cannes with a divine Krishna bag and pocket-sized Bhagavad Gita

Amid the sea of dramatic trains, heavy couture, and glittering diamonds, Indian influencer Aarti Khetarpal chose to carry something which is more powerful than glam, and that is devotion. Making an unforgettable appearance at the French Riviera this year, she turned heads in a symbolic ensemble that carried the grace and spiritual presence of Lord Krishna.

Aarti Khetarpal, who is a Vrindavan-based artist and featured in the 2026 Grammy-nominated album ‘Sounds of Kumbha’, proudly represented her faith on the Cannes red carpet. While others expressed glam in fusion and Western ensembles, she wore a Vrindavan-inspired lehenga, which looked absolutely surreal.

She wore a mustard-yellow lehenga made by artist Sulakshana Monga, featuring a lehenga skirt with Vrindavan-based art painted on it. She teamed it with an embroidered blouse and a matching golden dupatta, making her the main character. But the look of the skirt stole the show, which featured temples and shrines with a beautiful gopi sitting in the middle.

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She completed her look with a green meenakari necklace with statement earrings and a beautiful kada. But what made her overall look so special was her carrying a Krishna-motif bag with a pocket-sized Bhagavad Gita and a Tulsi Kanthi mala.

Leaving her hair open in soft waves, she opted for bold red lips with soft pink eyeshadow and defined eyebrow play. Taking to her Instagram, the artist shared pictures from her debut and wrote, “This is for every human who believes in God.”

She thanked her mother and family and wrote, “For my mother, who taught me how to chant and love Krishna." For my bhai, who's the wind beneath my wings. For my sister, who's awake all night to handle work back in India, and for Dad, whose film is being showcased at Cannes this year. She further continued, “Every platform you gift me, Krishna, is a responsibility to serve you with integrity," she wrote, adding, "I owe you my everything, God, because you are my everything."

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In a place known for its cinematic fantasy, Aarti Khetarpal delivered something which is even more unforgettable, i.e., a Cannes moment rooted in devotion.