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What was Indian actor Ruchi Gujjar doing wearing a Modi necklace at Cannes?

What was Indian actor Ruchi Gujjar doing wearing a Modi necklace at Cannes?

To say she turned heads with her jewellery would be an understatement.
Updated 21 May, 2025

We’ve been doing our best, dear readers, to ignore the circus across the border, especially since certain events earlier this month made it difficult to keep tabs. But every so often, the universe throws something so absurd our way that we must break our silence. Some moments are too baffling to pass up. Enter Ruchi Gujjar at Cannes.

If you’re wondering who that is, you’re not alone. But we suspect that now that you know of her, you’ll never forget her.

The model and actor took to the red carpet of the prestigious French film festival wearing what can only be described as a matrimonial fever dream — a lehenga drenched in gold, complete with gota patti, mirror embroidery and loud kundan jewellery. She paired it with a dupatta on her head.

It seemed far more appropriate for a bridal stage than the Cannes red carpet but to each their own. Cannes may be a celebration of global cinema, but it’s also known to be a celebration of fashion statements.

That’s not why we’re here.

The pièce de résistance of her ensemble was an ornate, custom-made necklace that featured lockets — yes, multiple — emblazoned with none other than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face.

Picture this — a necklace with miniature Modi portraits peering out from enamel lotuses, surrounded by pearls, nestled right above a dramatic deep neckline. We’ll give her this — it’s not every day that world leaders are turned into statement jewellery. One can only assume she thinks of Modi as the crown — or neck — jewel of India.

Patriotism can take many forms. Some wave flags, others write odes, and then there are people who apparently wear their premier’s face on their collarbones. And while it’s one thing to pay tribute to your leader, it’s quite another to accessorise with him.

Of course, this stunt might be baffling to most, but who among us hasn’t seen political merch woven into everyday fashion by supporters of political parties? Pakistanis too have a long and colourful tradition of printing politicians’ faces on kurtas, dupattas, and even lawn outfits. As we once chronicled, our political campaign trails have birthed entire fashion trends but our political-inspired fashion is still tasteful and isn’t a gaudy spectacle worth an entire article.

We have certainly never seen anything like this — especially on a global stage, especially in what appears to be bridal wear.

If it weren’t so earnest, it would be performance art. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. It was just another example of spectacle over substance, where the red carpet becomes a runway for nationalism dressed up as couture. The real tragedy here isn’t the necklace itself (which, objectively speaking, is a horror show of design), it’s that Ruchi Gujjar thought this was the moment to be seen and taken seriously.

There are a lot of Indians commenting online about the sheer embarrassment of this outfit and necklace combo — though the necklace far outweighs the outfit on the embarrassment scale — and we feel for them. This is quite the display.

Comments

Digital Look May 21, 2025 06:30pm
Some people keep Modi close to their heart. She kept him close to her neck. We, in India and Indians abroad, simply love Modi.
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Ehsan May 21, 2025 06:31pm
Brain washing at every level
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Pyasa May 21, 2025 06:38pm
She did get the attention, didn't she?
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad May 21, 2025 06:47pm
Propaganda, propaganda and more racist Modi's and his fascist cronies propaganda.
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Khurram Zubairi May 21, 2025 07:13pm
STOP putting any Indian content
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Fawad durrani May 21, 2025 08:03pm
They should put his face on pampers! We don't want to read about our conniving nasty neighbours who are always spewing vitriol against us.
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Zulfiqar May 21, 2025 08:16pm
Disgusting!
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Das May 21, 2025 09:06pm
When western countries people are wearing bikinis printed with national flag, there is no criticism for that because you need their aid to survive. Would you write an article condemning that?
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Raja Gilal May 21, 2025 09:31pm
It takes one to know one. Not amazed for her act.
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United India May 21, 2025 09:36pm
PM Modi and his team in recent war with Pakistan will not only harm reputations of India abroad but also hatred and misunderstanding among Indians and Pakistanis as well. Remember both nations were part of one family before 1947 during United India and together we fought with British's for the independence of India. Please try to understand, we’re still one family but living in three homes called Bangladesh-India-Pakistan as families but not as enemies.
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Hussain May 21, 2025 10:47pm
I don’t understand why we are obsessed with India and its film industry. Why write an article and give attention to an actress who is of no value and as to what she is portraying in her appearance. Please focus on our talented artist and appreciate their contributions to the art world.
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Hussain May 21, 2025 10:55pm
Why are we obsessed with India and its film industry. There is no need to write about an actress who is of no value to our country. Please give attention and write about our talented great artists that are underrated. Enough is enough. Stop worshipping the Indian film industry.
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Gagan Bakshi May 21, 2025 10:57pm
If somebody doesn’t inspire a common man in your country is not the fault of Modi Ji. He inspire millions in India of all communities. I hope you know # Col Sofia Qureshi
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M. Saeed May 21, 2025 11:16pm
What a comedy of errors! The person who defied marriage and preferred to live his life without his legal wife, is adorned by a model Indian wife with his replicas in each of the hundreds of lockets on her bridal dress in a world event!
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Logic May 21, 2025 11:30pm
Looks like Modi has given sleepless nights to Pakistan
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Gurpreet Singh May 22, 2025 12:32am
Each to their own, what do you care? Were any Pakistanis even invited?
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Kamal khan May 22, 2025 01:49am
Funny, Pak is more obsessed with Modi than India
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Seenivasan May 22, 2025 02:08am
Why you so jealous
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Reality May 22, 2025 05:34am
Any publicity is good publicity in these times
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Neti Naut May 22, 2025 05:35am
Could Pakistan afford to send anyone to Cannes ;-)
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Asad May 22, 2025 05:56am
Wearing the face of ' butcher of gujarat', the man behind false flag on own people, pulwama and phelgham, is an insult to cannes and humanity
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Pkha1@cox.net May 22, 2025 06:09am
Looks beautiful. Proud of her
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Mullah May 22, 2025 11:03am
She probably feels proud of Modi and wants the world to know that people in India love him. Anyway she looks beautiful.
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x May 22, 2025 11:15am
@Hussain you must have low reading comprehension if you think this is them "worshipping the Indian film industry". They're clearly mocking it
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Reality May 22, 2025 12:01pm
Sad that it's not your center of gravity moment lol
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Laila Ali May 22, 2025 12:28pm
Her body her choice.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad May 22, 2025 12:30pm
Cronies are everywhere to please the cult master.
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Laila May 22, 2025 02:44pm
I don't know her but that necklace is just ugly. It looks tacky. Also Cannes is not the place for this sort of display.
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Laila May 22, 2025 04:00pm
All of Cannes will suffer from nightmares now.
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M. Saeed May 22, 2025 06:44pm
@Gurpreet Singh. Sardarji, if you are genuine, you don't need any invitation to come and see for yourself, what is the real truth
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Laila May 23, 2025 01:04am
To Indian Hindu readers, A comment about Modis civil status prompted me to read further. Seeing as family is a big deal in Subcontinental and Eastern culture, it's strange that Modi married but abandoned his wife after a few months in pursuit of his political career, and they remain estranged to this date with both in their 70s. Do Hindus not believe in divorce? I mean she could have remarried and made a family and home with another man, as she was only 16/17? So can somebody answer does divorce exist in Hinduism? Or was it considered a social taboo back back then? If divorce exists, is it a mutual right for both spouses or only for the husband?
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Fast comment May 23, 2025 05:16pm
RG is free to wear anything it’s OK. Keeping politics aside, PM Modi has done great for its nation. Look at the economy. Besides there’s much less corruption in India, if you compare it to some other S.Asian countries. The PK artists are free to wear logos of their beloved leaders, no matter which party they like. A illustrated separate publications be made to explain the politicians about democracy, freedoms, and rule of law. Unfortunately PK democracy is just sham. Unless there’s no real democracy, no significant developments be attained. You can’t live with Chinese crutches always. Must stand on your own feet. The potential is there. Pakistan is a viable state, it only need honest leaders.
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