When A-listers grace prestigious red carpets, the spotlight often stays fixed on the celebrity while the artistry behind the look quietly fades in the background. At unstumbled, we believe those stories deserve just as much attention. So when Alia Bhatt arrived at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in a dreamy hand-painted gown by ‘That Antiquepiece’, the internet couldn’t stop talking about it! Evoking the softness of a Monet painting, the ethereal gown stood out not only for its romantic silhouette, but for the intricate artwork that brought it to life – painted entirely by Ahmedabad-based artist Basuri Chokshi.
In a candid conversation with the multi-faceted artist, we talked about the behind-the-scenes of the much-talked-about look, her philosophy as an artist, and what she does when she’s not creating show-stopping looks!
Basuri Chokshi: Ahmedabad-Based Artist Behind The Viral Alia Bhatt Cannes Look
About Basuri Chokshi
Basuri Chokshi is a visual artist who finds her art hovering at the intersection of fine art and fashion. Her Instagram bio says with confidence – she paints with intention and honesty, creating magic through bespoke hand-painted wall coverings, murals, and of course, stunning red carpet looks occasionally. She’s known for her hand-painted textile work that takes a detour from the more convenient print or digital design. Each Basuri Chokshi creation feels like wearable art, shaped by intention, authenticity, and finesse.
She is a self-taught painter who studied interior design and started creating murals in 2016. Since then, she has worked on multiple projects for designers like Ravi Vazirani, Rooshad Shroff, as well as A-listers like Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Nayanthara.
Here are excerpts from our candid conversation with the multi-faceted artist:
Initial Days As An Artist
unstumbled: Can you tell us a little about your journey into art? Was it always the plan?
Basuri Chokshi: I studied interior design, but I was always naturally drawn towards art and aesthetics. I kept finding ways to stay close to creative spaces, and eventually started painting myself. Once I became comfortable with my medium, I simply never stopped. I’m self-taught, and honestly, it wasn’t a very deliberate plan – it unfolded quite organically.
unstumbled: What were some challenges you faced while navigating your career as a budding artist?
Basuri Chokshi: Most of the challenges were internal. Since I was learning and experimenting on my own, there was a lot of self-doubt, trial and error, and figuring out my language as an artist. But in hindsight, that phase also made the journey exciting and deeply personal.
unstumbled: How do you navigate the business side of being an artist? Are there any specific challenges or issues you faced or continue to face?
Basuri Chokshi: I come from a family business background, so I’ve always been around that environment and understanding of how things function. I also run our art studio with my husband; I primarily handle the creative and painting side, while he manages the business operations and team management. That balance helps us function smoothly.
unstumbled: What is one common misconception most people have about what you do?
Basuri Chokshi: That painting is purely instinctive or effortless. While creativity is intuitive, a lot of what I do involves discipline, patience, technical understanding, and countless hours of detail-oriented work behind the scenes.
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The Alia Bhatt Cannes Look
Actor and producer Alia Bhatt’s Cannes 2026 appearances were the talk of the town, thanks to her sartorial outfit choices. One of the most talked-about looks from Alia Bhatt’s Cannes 2026 appearances was a gown designed by Yash Patil’s That Antique Piece. The silhouette took inspiration from the 1950s, featuring a structured, fitted bodice with a drop waist that leads to a voluminous skirt. That volume was created with layered, sharbati dyed silk organza and tulle petticoats. The bodice was supported by a corset and angular, structured cups reminiscent of the bygone 50s era.
The gown, styled by Rhea Kapoor, had a romantic silhouette, with the entire dress being handpainted by Basuri Chokshi.
unstumbled: Can you walk us through Rhea Kapoor’s brief for this elegantly designed dress?
Basuri Chokshi: Rhea wanted me to interpret my version of the “French Riviera” and bring a feeling that was summery, soft, and joyful. From there, I researched further and tried to translate that mood and atmosphere into the artwork in my own way.
unstumbled: What unique challenges did you face while hand-painting the dress?
Basuri Chokshi: Nothing particularly dramatic, honestly. The only slightly tricky part was handling the garment while painting, since textiles behave very differently from a flat surface, but it was manageable.
unstumbled: How different is painting a textile compared to a blank canvas? Are the stakes higher?
Basuri Chokshi: Very different. Every surface behaves differently, and textiles require a certain level of control and layering, especially when they aren’t paper-backed. There’s very little room for error because the artwork can quickly start looking patchy or overly saturated if not handled carefully.
unstumbled: When collaborating with stylists and fashion designers, how do you manage to maintain your vision while also respecting their creative process?
Basuri Chokshi: I think collaboration works best when there’s openness from everyone involved. I try to understand their vision and creative language as deeply as possible so we’re all aligned from the beginning. Working with incredibly talented people like Rhea Kapoor and Yash Patil made the process feel very seamless and natural.
unstumbled: Beyond the glamour, what did this collaboration mean to you personally as an artist?
Basuri Chokshi: The opportunity and appreciation itself felt very humbling. But beyond that, it expanded my perspective as an artist and opened up newer possibilities for how art can exist beyond conventional spaces. It definitely widened my horizon creatively.
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Her Philosophy In Art
unstumbled: How would you describe your artistic philosophy as an artist?
Basuri Chokshi: I want my work to feel immersive – almost like a quiet pause or a moment of transformation. Even if someone experiences it only briefly, I hope it evokes a feeling beyond just the visual.
unstumbled: How do you tackle an artist’s block? And what would you advise other artists to do when they’re feeling the same?
Basuri Chokshi: I usually disconnect from the pressure completely. I sleep, do mundane everyday things, listen to music, or simply allow my mind to slow down. Sometimes creativity returns when you stop forcing it.
unstumbled: It is a common belief that artists are never fully satisfied with their work. What do you have to say about it?
Basuri Chokshi: I partially agree with that. There’s always a feeling that something could be done better. But at the same time, knowing when to stop is equally important, because overworking a piece can sometimes take away from its essence.
unstumbled: Any artist or artistic movement that you constantly take inspiration from?
Basuri Chokshi: I’m deeply inspired by Impressionist and Tonalist movements, especially the way they capture mood, atmosphere, and emotion so subtly.
Fashion & Art As A Means Of Expression
unstumbled: Fashion and art often overlap as visual languages. How do you see the relationship between the two?
Basuri Chokshi: I think fashion and art both communicate visually, but fashion also carries movement, structure, and functionality. When artistry and construction are balanced beautifully together, the result can become incredibly powerful and timeless.
unstumbled: Do you think wearable art, such as this viral Cannes dress hand-painted by you, makes fine art more accessible to wider audiences?
Basuri Chokshi: Absolutely. Wearable art allows people to experience art in a more immediate and personal way, outside traditional gallery spaces.
unstumbled: Are there designers or fashion houses you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Basuri Chokshi: I would love to collaborate with Vinita Chaitanya, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Rahul Mishra. They’ve each created such distinctive worlds through their work. And creatively, doing something for A. R. Rahman would be very special.
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Final Questions & Rapid Fire
unstumbled: In times of such global conflict, what role do you think artists play?
Basuri Chokshi: To bring softness, reflection, and perhaps a little visual confetti into the world.
unstumbled: What is your way of unwinding after a hectic or overwhelming day of work?
Basuri Chokshi: A shower, calming music, and doing absolutely nothing for a while.
unstumbled: If you could display your art at any of the famous art galleries around the world, where would it be?
Basuri Chokshi: The Louvre Museum.
unstumbled: A non-negotiable quality all artists must possess?
Basuri Chokshi: The ability to feel deeply and see beyond the obvious.
unstumbled: A famous painting you’d like to wear on a dress or recreate in your own way?
Basuri Chokshi: Water Lily Pond by Claude Monet.
unstumbled: When you’re not creating art, you are…?
Basuri Chokshi: Resting, slowing down, and fully embracing my “doing nothing” mode.
unstumbled: An element of nature you find yourself using the most in your artwork?
Basuri Chokshi: A quiet, muted presence of nature — something subtle and cohesive that gently settles into the space rather than overpowering it.
unstumbled: If you yourself were attending Cannes, what would your dream outfit look like?
Basuri Chokshi: Something effortless, flowy, elegant, and most importantly, comfortable enough to feel like myself in it.
