Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Cannes staple, turned heads once again—this time with a powerful nod to her cultural roots. Steering clear of past experimental looks that often sparked debate, the Bollywood icon embraced tradition in a Manish Malhotra saree, complete with a striking sindoor—an unmistakable homage to Indian heritage.
Her Cannes journey began back in 2002, when she made a grand debut flanked by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-star Shah Rukh Khan for Devdas. Since then, Aishwarya has become a fixture on the red carpet, earning acclaim not just for her fashion but also for her legacy. In 2003, she made history as the first Indian actress to serve on the festival’s prestigious jury.
When she first appeared at Cannes, it was in a now-iconic golden yellow saree that set the tone for her reign on the global stage. Yet, over the years, her bold fashion experiments met with mixed reactions online, becoming fodder for trolls. As influencers increasingly dominate the Cannes spotlight, Aishwarya’s continued presence stands as a regal reminder of the red carpet’s golden era—and her unshakable grace through it all.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes 2025
From netizens demanding her to sack her stylist over her “failed” fashion experiments in the recent past to her 2025 outing returning to cultural roots, the Jodhaa Akbar star flipped the script by dazzling in a regal ivory saree. Her Indian look for the red carpet not only served as a major throwback to her Cannes debut fashion choice, but it has also come to seemingly pay tribute to the Indian Army after the May 7 Operation Sindoor revived patriotic fervour in the South Asian subcontinent.
The timing of Rai’s appearance also led to broader interpretations. With India launching ‘Operation Sindoor’ — India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — some online saw Aishwarya’s styling as an expression of that nationalist sentinement.
Designer Manish Malhotra described the ensemble as a “celebration of handwoven Indian textiles with couture structure.”
Aishwarya has worn ivory at Cannes before, and it’s become something of a signature for her. She often leans into soft, elegant colors—balancing them with bold lips and timeless silhouettes that never go out of style.
Representing L’Oréal, her appearance was a highlight of India’s strong presence at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. This year also saw filmmaker Payal Kapadia join the main competition jury, while Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound made waves in the Un Certain Regard section.
