Guess who’s walking the red carpet at Cannes alongside the likes of Hollywood beauties Penelope Cruz
and Eva Longoria, and Bollywood’s own Aishwarya Bachchan, as the face of a major international cosmetic giant?

The tall and lissome star of Saawariya and Delhi 6 — Sonam Kapoor, that’s who! She’s excited, naturally, as any young actress would be on her first trip to France and that too for an assignment at the prestigious international film festival with such big names. “Being on the same platform as Aishwarya, for me, is a big deal in itself,” gushed Sonam. “I have always adored her but met her only once, during the Delhi 6 premiere.”

Dad Anil Kapoor, who’s been riding a high ever since Slumdog Millionaire swept the Oscars and Golden Globes, will join Sonam at Cannes. “Dad will be my date on the two nights that I’ll be there,” the daughter giggled, “I will walk with him, it will be so beautiful.”

She’s unperturbed by the fact that being on the red carpet will mean coming under the glare of the paparazzi and fashionistas at the French cinema capital. “I’m aware,” she said, “and I’m confident I’ll carry off the Indian outfits I’m taking there by Anamika, Manish and Gaurav with ease. I’ll also be dressed by an international designer for one event.”

She’s looking forward to catching up on some good world cinema, during her short trip to Cannes. And to France, itself. “I’ve never been to Paris or any other part of France, except through books. I used to transport myself to these lovely destinations through my reading. It’s a dream come true for me,” said the actress who was just a gawky teenager working as an assistant to Sanjay Leela Bhansali when Ash walked the red carpet at the Cannes for the first time a few years ago.