The red carpet of the 78th Cannes Film Festival shimmered a little brighter this year as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her much-awaited appearance, once again redefining grace and global glamour.
This time, Aishwarya graced the red carpet draped in a Kadwa ivory Banarasi handloom saree from the atelier of ace designer Manish Malhotra. This handwoven masterpiece—steeped in heritage and crafted using the traditional Kadwa technique from the looms of Varanasi—celebrated the enduring elegance of Indian craftsmanship. With each motif painstakingly created using multiple shuttles and supplementary threads, the saree became a meditation in luxury, history, and artisanal finesse.
What elevated the ensemble into a truly standout red carpet moment was the sheer white tissue dupatta, a modern twist layered over one shoulder. Intricately edged with real gold and silver zardozi embroidery, the dupatta created a silhouette that seamlessly merged tradition with innovation—marrying the soul of Indian ceremonial wear with the sophistication of haute couture.
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Her accessories were equally striking—heirloom high jewellery from Manish Malhotra Jewellery, featuring over 500 carats of Mozambique rubies and uncut diamonds set in 18k gold. A multi-layered ruby neckpiece framed her décolletage with regal authority, while matching earrings and ruby-encrusted statement rings punctuated her look with rich, resplendent reds.
Aishwarya’s makeup was deliberate and impactful: bold winged eyeliner, shimmery eyeshadow, and blush-kissed cheeks, finished with a deep-toned lipstick that amplified the drama without overshadowing the elegance. Her long, voluminous hair was worn loose in a classic middle parting, and the touch of red sindoor in her hairline added a powerful note of Indian identity—evoking newlywed symbolism, cultural pride, and timeless femininity.
By choosing to wear sindoor and a traditional Indian ensemble on a global platform like Cannes, Aishwarya sent a powerful message—of representation, of reclaiming space for Indian couture on the international stage, and of celebrating womanhood through the lens of heritage and artistry.
This was more than a red carpet appearance—it was a visual ode to Indian heritage, a redefinition of handloom as contemporary couture, and a proud moment of global recognition for the country’s textile artisans.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has always been a vision at Cannes, but this year, she wasn’t just stunning—she was symbolic. A poignant reminder that craftsmanship is power, and that Indian tradition, when embraced with conviction, never goes out of style.
