Blast from the past! When Paoli Dam turned DESI GIRL on Cannes red carpet

While Sara Ali Khan’s desi girl look has become the center of attention at this year’s Cannes film festival red carpet how we can forget our very own Paoli Dam had also sent the paparazzi into a tizzy 12 years ago at the Cannes red carpet! Among a whirlwind of big gowns and bigger jewels, Sara Ali Khan stood out in her first-ever Cannes red carpet appearance. However, Paoli’s ravishing Dhakai saree had also left the fashion police speechless once. Here’s looking back at the Bengali diva’s unforgettable Cannes fashion diary.

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It was way back in 2011 when Paoli made India proud when she walked the famous red carpet. It was a dream come true moment for Paoli as well. In her cream sari with a red border, the Tollywood beauty resembled a balika bodhu — very Bengali and very beautiful. If she was breathless with excitement, the photographers were even more so. Some even called out to her “Princess! Princess!” In front of the massed ranks of frenzied snappers she was beaming with confidence.

Here's another mesmerizing ethnic look from Paoli's 2011 Cannes fashion diary. Interestingly, not Aishwarya Rai, Sonam Kapoor or Deepika Padukone but it was Paoli who was India's only filmstar to officially walk the red carpet at the 2011 Cannes. Paoli was the only Indian star to walk the hyped Cannes red carpet on merit and not as a brand ambassador of some international cosmetic or liquor brand, unlike other Bollywood celebs.

Not just her red carpet moments but the actress was also in the news for sharing a pictures of her in a bold red bikini from a beach outing. Paoli's stunning beach look still gives us goosebumps. Meanwhile, on the red carpet, where a bunch of elite photographers were wearing the black tie for the privilege of taking pictures of the world’s biggest stars, the sight of the Bengali beauty sent them crazy. “They made me go up and down, up and down, they had not seen anyone before in a red and white saree and with plenty of gold jewelry round my neck,” Paoli had told once while speaking about that memorable night.

The versatile actress was in Cannes in 2011 for the screening of her Bengali movie ‘Chhatrak’ (Mushroom), directed by Sri Lankan Vimukthi Jayasundara, in which she played the leading lady. We all know how controversial the film later became due to one explicit scene involving the actress! Chatrak was selected at the prestigious film fest for the Directors’ Fortnight segment.

Paoli’s cream Dhakai sari with red border was the talk of the town for many years for the fashion enthusiasts. Her cascading hair, red bindi and a dozen red bangles on one arm oozed elegance and we still cherish that dreamy Cannes moment even today. While social media is abuzz with gorgeous looks of our Bollywood divas at this year's Cannes Paoli's sesnsational saree look from the 2011 Cannes continues to be one of the most glorious ethnic fashions at the prestigious film fest.