Vir Das mocks Cannes 2025 dress code, skips red carpet with 78-foot outfit joke

As the 2025 Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 14, Indian comedian and actor Vir Das used humour to address the event’s newly imposed red carpet guidelines. Cannes this year has introduced stricter rules, discouraging nudity and oversized gowns, a move that has stirred both debate and mockery online. Vir Das chose to skip the event altogether—but not without making a sharp, sarcastic statement.

Posting on Instagram, Vir began with a mock-serious announcement: “It’s with deep regret that I announce I will no longer be attending the Cannes Film Festival because of the new red carpet rules.” He continued, “For multiple generations, nude voluminous gowns with large trains have been culturally specific to the comedy community.”

Detailing what he had supposedly planned to wear, he wrote: “This year I had planned a dark beige, 78 foot long, off-shoulder piece that moved finely into sleeves that covered my wrists, but dipped lower and gently showcased the heart of my scrotum.”

He didn’t stop there. Taking a direct swipe at the fashion restrictions, Das added, “But if I can't wear a Gota original, I refuse to let our culture be shunted. I was planning on taking multiple selfies of cultural significance. But someone has to take a stand. I wish the festival all the best.”

Interestingly, while the policy aimed to tone down excessive fashion, some stars visibly flouted the rules. Heidi Klum turned up in a massive pink-and-white gown, and Chinese actor Wan QianHui walked the carpet in a cloudlike white ensemble with oversized cotton-ball-like textures.

Jury member Halle Berry reportedly altered her opening night look to meet the updated regulations, acknowledging the shift in expectations.

Vir’s post triggered a wave of amusement on social media. A user joked, “Could you plz make the AI make a virtual image of your special dress?” Another added, “We have been robbed. Maybe you can use this costume for one of your shows?”

While Cannes attempts to redefine its red carpet rules, voices like Vir Das’s remind audiences that humour often finds its way to the most serious podiums—even the steps of the Palais.