At the Cannes 2026 festival, where every red carpet moment is scrutinized, Urvashi Rautela arrived in a dramatic fashion ensemble that immediately triggered online comparisons. Her third appearance at the event quickly drew parallels to Gigi Hadid's stunning Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla saree from the NMACC 2023 launch. The striking similarity in styling, silhouettes, and aesthetics led to a flurry of reactions on social media.
Fashion Deja Vu at Cannes
Urvashi Rautela wore an ivory saree with a striking golden border, paired with an ornate golden blouse and a pleated pallu. She accessorized with golden studs and carried a white plastic flowerpot. Her hair was tied back, with a few strands framing her face. However, many noted that her look appeared to be a toned-down version of Gigi Hadid's NMACC ensemble from 2023, lacking originality.
Gigi Hadid's Original Ensemble
Gigi Hadid had worn a breathtaking Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla saree made from Chikankari fabric from Lucknow. Her outfit featured a bejewelled elbow-length blouse with a V-neckline, heavy bangles, and golden studs, creating an iconic look that was widely praised.
Internet Reactions Turn Savage
Fashion watchdog Diet Sabya posted about the 'gandi copy' (bad copy), writing, 'I say URVA, you say ... sheeeee err ... GIGI???' He added that only the 'First Lady of the universe' could perform such 'fashion necromancy' to bring back the 'Gandi Copy' (RIP). He questioned if anyone had forgotten Gigi's Abu Jani chikankari couture saree and praised Urvashi's guts but criticized the lack of originality. The comment section largely agreed.
From Cannes to Comparisons
While Urvashi embraced glam theatrics with her larger-than-life persona, fashion critics and meme pages quickly flooded timelines, labeling the look as 'inspired' or a 'copy-paste' moment. Cannes fashion is rarely subtle, but reactions to this look turned particularly harsh. Despite acknowledging the effort behind her drape, many concluded that it could not match the prowess of Gigi Hadid's original piece.
