Why Kani Kusruti carried a watermelon clutch with her to Cannes

Many celebrities have been refraining from commenting on the ongoing war which has made Kusruti’s gesture even more significant. (Image via X)

Kani Kusruti walked the steps of the Palais at the 77th Cannes Film Festival with a beautiful watermelon clutch. The dainty accessory has been making headlines ever since she debuted it on the carpet not because of how cute it looks, but because of what it represents - solidarity with Palestine.

At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in France, Indian actress Kani Kusruti made a powerful gesture of solidarity with Palestine by wearing a watermelon-shaped clutch.pic.twitter.com/09wwRt50BQ

— PALESTINE ONLINE(@OnlinePalEng) May 24, 2024

When asked about the clutch, the actress said it’s “both personal and political.”

“Personal is political” is a political slogan used as a rallying argument for the second wave feminism since 1960s. And a sliced watermelon has red, green, black, and white colours - the colours of the Palestine flag.

“I wanted something in the shape of Gaza. I collaborated with my friend who is a designer to figure out whether it would be embroidery or a brooch in the same colours. And then we hit upon the idea of the clutch,” Kusruti said.

The clutch is designed by Kochi-based designer Diya John.

The semi circle clutch is adorned with beads in the colours of a watermelon. The clutch looks stylish while delivering a strong stance on the Israel Palestine conflict. As they say, “fashion is political.”

Many celebrities have been refraining from commenting on the ongoing war which has made Kusruti’s gesture even more significant.

Kani Kusruti is joined by Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid, actress Cate Blanchett, and more, in making political statements on the red carpet of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Supermodel Bella Hadid was seen wearing a pink Keffiyeh dress designed by Michael and Hushi at the French Riviera. The dress was made up entirely of scarves that symbolise Palestinian solidarity and identity. The actress, whose father is a Palestinian American real estate developer, has been very vocal about the ongoing conflict on her social media as well.

Cate Blanchett wore a black, green and white gown and let the red carpet become the fourth colour needed to represent the colours of the Palestine flag.

French actress Leila Bekhti wore a watermelon pin in the shape of a heart to show her support toward Palestine.

Laura Blajman-Kadar donned a yellow gown with pictures of dead and lost Palestinians. She also wore a sachet reading - “Bring them home.”