Diva in focus: Aishwarya Rai's Cannes appearance stirs reactions amid divorce rumours

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan captivated audiences and fans alike with her first look at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 21, 2025.

The actor embraced her Indian roots with an elegant ivory sari, complemented by sindoor on her forehead, adding a traditional touch to her glamorous presence.

Dripping in traditional Indian jewellery, Aishwarya walked the red carpet as the global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. This marks her 22nd red carpet appearance at Cannes, continuing her long-standing association with the festival that began with the premiere of her film Devdas in 2002.

The sari featured a long pallu draped gracefully on her left side and a flowing lace train on the right, exuding timeless elegance. Aishwarya posed gracefully for photographers, greeting the crowd with a radiant smile and a respectful namaste gesture, and blew flying kisses to her fans as she made her way up the steps of the Grand Palais.

This year’s Cannes Film Festival is also notable for the spotlight on Indian cinema, with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound selected in the prestigious Un Certain Regard category. The film premiered to a nine-minute standing ovation and stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, who also attended the red carpet event.

In addition, Satyajit Ray’s classic Aranyer Din Ratri was screened as part of the Cannes Classics section, attended by cast members Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal, and introduced by filmmaker Wes Anderson. Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia serves on the main competition jury this year, marking a significant milestone after winning the Grand Prix last year for her debut film All We Imagine As Light.

Aishwarya Rai’s poised and culturally rich presence at Cannes underscores her enduring legacy as a global icon of Indian cinema and fashion.