CANNES, France, May 22: — Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a regal return to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet on Wednesday, donning an ivory handloom Banarasi saree for her 2025 debut at the prestigious event.
The 51-year-old actor, a Cannes veteran for over two decades, appeared ahead of the premiere of The History of Sound, a historical drama by filmmaker Oliver Hermanus featuring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor.
Designed by fashion stalwart Manish Malhotra, Aishwarya’s ensemble featured intricate kadwa embroidery, a flowing lace train, and a dramatic long pallu. She paired the traditional look with a layered ruby necklace from Malhotra’s jewellery line and completed the look with vermillion in her hair parting.
“The OG Indian Queen of Cannes @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb embraces Classic White Handloom,” Malhotra wrote on Instagram. He described the outfit as a “handwoven kadwa ivory Handloom Banarasi saree with a handwoven tissue drape and imperial heirloom of rubies.”
Videos circulating online showed the actor warmly acknowledging fans with a smile and a wave as she walked the red carpet.
This year’s 78th edition of the festival has seen notable Indian participation. Acclaimed filmmaker Payal Kapadia is serving on the main competition jury, while legends Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal were in attendance at the world premiere of the restored version of Satyajit Ray’s 1970 classic Aranyer Din Ratri.
Additionally, director Neeraj Ghaywan presented his film Homebound in the Un Certain Regard segment, joined by actors Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and producer Karan Johar, marking a robust Indian footprint at the global film gala.
