Back in 2002, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her Cannes debut walking alongside filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-actor Shah Rukh Khan for the movie Devdas. Ever since then, the Bollywood diva has maintained her record for recurrent red carpet appearances at the international film festival in France. Just a year after her first-ever Cannes outing, she cracked another milestone, becoming the first Indian actress to serve on the prestigious ceremony’s jury panel.
Over two decades ago, Rai Bachchan’s Cannes red carpet debut glistened gold as she made heads turn in a yellow sari. Years down the road, things took a vicious turn and internet trolls made it a point to drag her fashion choices at the festival. In recent years, the French cinematic extravaganza has witnessed an uptick in influencers taking over the red carpet. However, Aishwarya’s constant presence at the Cannes Film Festival has remained a hopeful glimmer in the dark.
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.
How it started vs How it’s going #AishwaryaRaiBachchan #AishwaryaRai #Cannes2025 #Cannes pic.twitter.com/c0ls1MQLfe
— |$ ü k| (@quain_trelle_) May 21, 2025
Backed by Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra, Aishwarya embraced “Classic White Handloom in a handwoven kadwa ivory Handloom Banarasi saree with a handwoven tissue drape and imperial heirloom of rubies” from Manish Malhotra Jewellery. Allia Al Rufai and Nayaab Randhaw styled her look, while Stephane Lancien took care of her hair and Aditya Sharma spruced up her makeup.
As Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Cannes 2025 visual statement honoured Indian handloom, the undisputed “Indian Queen” of the film festival especially made a strong impression by completing her look with sindoor (vermillion). The traditional red cosmetic power along her hairline signifying her marital status further added to her “forever favourite” tag. Social media erupted with praise for the Indian actress for finally slaying the red carpet appearance in her OG style, while simultaneously making a loud statement without uttering a word.
Netizens hail Aishwarya Rai’s Cannes red carpet look: ‘Nod to Operation Sindoor’
Comments like “Grace is power. And when a woman wears her culture with pride, she doesn’t just walk she REIGNS” and “Queen is here” instantly reflected Indian fans’ reignited trust in Aishwarya’s fashion picks.
The Dhoom 2 diva’s 78th Cannes Film Festival outing comes just weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based terror infrastructures on May 7 to avenge the 26 lives claimed by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. In the aftermath of the successful precision strikes, cinema fans anxiously awaited their favourite film stars to break their silence and laud the Indian Army for its staunch commitment to the fight against terrorism.
However, many A-list stars remained silent. Aishwarya Rai’s May red carpet outing has since been perceived as her rendition of Operation Sindoor and her salute to Indian Armed Forces fighting the big fight.
“Shame on the silence of the Khans. Not a word on Operation Sindoor. While Bollywood’s biggest names stay quiet, it’s #AishwaryaRai who stands tall fearless, dignified, and bold on the global stage. That’s true courage. That’s what India deserves,” an X user tweeted Wednesday night.
Yet another user lauded her supposedly conscious effort put into her OOTD and her makeup choices: “I’m super late to Aishwarya Rai’s Cannes moment, and I’m in love with her saree slay. After 23 years, her Cannes saree comeback is everything. Her bold sindoor, representing India’s spirit with a nod to Operation Sindoor.”
A third person wrote: “I’m so proud of Aishwarya Rai. Regardless of all the hate, she showed up as strong and as beautiful as ever. That too wearing sindoor in the midst of Operation Sindoor.”
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Cannes’ celestial enchantress, spins a tapestry of Indian allure in 2025’s global spotlight#AishwaryaRaiBachchan #AishwaryaAtCannes #Cannes2025 #CannesFilmFestival #CannesFilmFestival2025 pic.twitter.com/eA66b7K3LH
— Stranger (@Stranger4every1) May 22, 2025
Counting the reasons why they “stan” Aishwarya Rai, a fourth user tweeted: “She doesn’t SCREAM her views. She doesn’t FIGHT for clout. She doesn’t COMPETE for limelight. But she definitely knows how to make BOLD STATEMENTS in the MOST DIGNIFIED manner. Her Sindoor says it all.”
Yet another one added to the praise: “Her putting sindoor at Cannes is a clear tribute to the success of Operation Sindoor. A true patriot & representing Bhartiya Nari in true senses.”
And here’s another one showering her with all the love: “Gorgeous. Aishwarya wore sindoor and a saree, radiating timeless beauty. She’s the perfect example of how to build an empire with elegance and strength.”
And one more: “Aishwarya Rai has given the biggest shoutout and support to Operating Sindoor by donning Sindoor for her highly anticipated Cannes appearance which is far more impactful and iconic than simply posting about the mission on a insta story.”
Love to see Aishwarya Rai donning saree & bright red sindhoor to tribute Indian army’s Operation Sindhoor. Platform rightfully used ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/l5HzO2D77F
— Myamura (@Go_Jover) May 21, 2025