Published: : May 22, 2025, 12:18 PM
At her 22nd red carpet appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned heads not only with her elaborate outfit but also with a powerful cultural statement. She attended the premiere of The History of Sound in a striking ensemble that blended tradition with couture—an ivory and gold handwoven kadwa Banarasi sari reimagined as a gown by designer Manish Malhotra, complete with tissue draping and zari embroidery. Her look was accentuated by 500 carats of Mozambique rubies and uncut diamonds from Manish Malhotra Jewellery.
However, what drew the most attention was the bold red sindoor streak in the parting of her hair, which many interpreted as a symbolic gesture. Social media buzzed with comparisons to her iconic portrayal of Paro in the 2002 film Devdas—noting the similar styling: elaborate jewelry, golden sari, red lips, loose hair, and the defining sindoor.
This visual evocation of a traditional Indian archetype sparked both nostalgia and cultural discussion. Some online commentators tied the timing of her look to India’s recent ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, interpreting her appearance as a subtle nod to nationalist sentiment.
Designer Manish Malhotra described the outfit as a celebration of Indian handwoven textiles fused with couture aesthetics. Aishwarya’s preference for ivory tones at Cannes isn’t new—over the years, she has often chosen light shades paired with bold lips and timeless silhouettes.
Rai appeared at Cannes in her role as brand ambassador for L’Oréal, contributing to India’s significant presence at the 78th edition of the festival. This year also features Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia on the main competition jury and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound in the Un Certain Regard section.
