Vidya, Big B say namaste at Cannes

Bollywood actress and Cannes jury member Vidya Balan left folks on the French Riviera in no doubt of her nationality in a cream lehenga and black choli with a pallu at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. We love the fact that she wore her Indianness on her sleeve, so to speak, but she went a bit overboard with the pallu we think.

But Vidya's million dollar smile more than made up for everything else.

The Great Gatsby stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Amitabh Bachchan declared the the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival officially open. Both stars looked dapper in black tuxedos.

Big B spoke his opening ceremony lines in Hindi and tweeted: T 1109 -Acknowledging Cannes in recognising 100 yrs of Indian Cinema, it was absolutely imperative for me to address, in my Mother tongue !

From left to right French actress and mistress of ceremonies at the Cannes Film Festival Audrey Tautou, Amitabh Bachchan, Leonardo DiCaprio and President of the Feature Film Jury Steven Spielberg and Jury member Australian actress Nicole Kidman all shared a laugh.

Amitabh Bachchan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg, Nicole Kidman and French actor Daniel Auteuil witness the proceedings in rapt attention. Spielberg's presence is considered a rarity at Cannes.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg and jury member and Nicole Kidman share a light moment.

Leonardo DiCaprio and The Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann applauded on the stage.

British director and member of the Feature Film jury Lynne Ramsay waved at the audience.