Bhupendra Khanal becomes first Nepali entrepreneur to walk Cannes red carpet

CANNES, FRANCE: Nepali entrepreneur Bhupendra Khanal and his wife Sneh Khanal walked the red carpet at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 16. Supporters are calling the appearance a milestone for Nepal’s presence at the global event.

Meanwhile, the couple, founders of Dogsee Chew, an international premium dog treat brand headquartered in Bengaluru, India, used the Cannes platform to highlight pet care and natural pet nutrition. Bhupendra Khanal, originally from Uralabari, Morang, is also the founder of social media analytics firm Simplify360.

“The world is waking up to what pet parents have always known. Pets are family, and they deserve the very best. At Dogsee, that belief has driven every product we have built and every market we have entered. Cannes is where we take that story to the world, and we are just getting started,” Bhupendra Khanal said.

Notably, the couple’s attire blended Nepali and Indian cultural elements and featured embroidery inspired by their golden retriever, Mowgli, who the Khanals said inspired them to start Dogsee Chew.

For the Khanal couple, the Cannes outing went beyond brand visibility and aimed to draw attention to responsible pet ownership and natural nutrition, underscoring a broader shift in how pets are regarded in modern households and the expanding commercial potential of the global pet care industry.

“Cannes is where the world's most compelling stories find their audience. Dogsee began with a bold belief that pets deserve better, and ten years later, that belief has brought us to the red carpet at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. That is what happens when you think big and stay true to your vision,” Sneh said.

Founded in 2015, Dogsee Chew markets Himalayan yak chhurpi as a natural, premium chew for dogs. Its products are available in over 30 countries and are used by millions of pet owners seeking natural nutrition for their animals.

Bhupendra’s appearance is being hailed as a rare achievement for Nepalis at Cannes. He joins a short list of Nepali figures who have appeared on the festival’s red carpet, including actors Surakshya Panta and Pradeep Khadka, and Prime Minister Balendra Shah.