Cannes 2024: Kani Kusruti displays solidarity with Palestine, carries watermelon pouch on red carpet

Kani, one of the two leads in Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’, complemented her outfit with a handbag shaped like a watermelon slice — a symbol of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation

Indian actor Kani Kusruti displayed solidarity with the victims of the war in Gaza while walking the red carpet for her film All We Imagine As Light at the Cannes Film Festival.

Kani, one of the two leads in Payal Kapadia’s film, in the running for the Palme d’Or, complemented her outfit with a handbag shaped like a watermelon slice — a symbol of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation.

The colours of the fruit — red, green, white and black — mirror those of the Palestinian flag. It was used as an alternative political symbol after displays of the flag were banned by Israel following the six-day war in 1967.

The image broke the internet as Kani was praised for her bravery, at a time when many actors — both in India and Hollywood — have shied away from taking a stance on the ongoing war.

Kani’s pouch was crafted by Kochi-based designer Diya John, who also created the rest of her outfit - a white bodycon silk dress.

John’s designer boutique, Salt Studio, shared a video of how the watermelon clutch was created.

Later, Kani spoke about it at the press conference for All We Imagine as Light. “I wanted something like that,” Kani said, “So I asked my friend (John) who crafted it by hand.”