More than a decade after first arriving at the Cannes Film Festival with Anurag Kashyap’s landmark film Gangs of Wasseypur, acclaimed Indian actor Huma Qureshi returned to the Croisette this year as one of the prominent Indian names attending Cannes 2026 in collaboration with the Red Sea Film Foundation.
Back in 2012, a then newcomer Huma Qureshi made her Cannes debut for the world premiere of Gangs of Wasseypur, the critically acclaimed two-part crime drama that introduced her to global audiences and earned her widespread acclaim. Today, over ten years later, Qureshi returns not only as a celebrated actor, but also as a producer, author and internationally recognised cultural figure.
“Returning to the Cannes Film Festival always feels extremely special; it’s like homecoming,” shared Qureshi while attending the festival this year. “This was the first place where I saw myself on the big screen, and I saw how people responded to world cinema at a stage like this.”
Representing India at one of cinema’s biggest global platforms, Huma attended the Red Sea Film Foundation’s prestigious Women in Cinema gala, celebrating female creatives and artists from across the world. For the occasion, she opted for a sharply tailored Gabriela Hearst pant suit, blending understated elegance with modern power dressing — a look that perfectly reflected the confident and refined artist she has evolved into over the years.
Continuing her Cannes appearances, Huma later walked the red carpet for the premiere of Paper Tiger in a dramatic monochromatic black gown by Saudi designer Eman Alajlan. Styled by Leepakshi Ellawadi, the sculpted silhouette and layered sheer detailing channelled timeless old-Hollywood glamour, quickly making her one of the standout Indian fashion moments of the festival.
Known for championing female-led narratives and unconventional storytelling throughout her career, Huma Qureshi’s presence at Cannes 2026 once again highlighted the growing impact of Indian talent on the global entertainment stage.
