Aishwarya Rai dazzles Cannes red carpet in ‘Luminara’ gown

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a celebrated return to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, stunning audiences in a sculpted blue couture gown designed by Amit Aggarwal.

The actress attended the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in what marked her 24th appearance at the prestigious event. Ahead of her appearance, fans had expressed concern on social media after her promotional posters were reportedly absent from L’Oréal Paris branding at Hotel Martinez in Cannes.

Aishwarya, a longtime global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris since 2003, eventually silenced speculation by arriving at the festival alongside her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan.

She first appeared at Cannes in 2002 alongside Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali to present their film “Devdas”. Wearing a yellow saree designed by Neeta Lulla, she became one of the earliest Indian actors to gain major attention on the Cannes red carpet.

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Caption Photo: AP

For this year’s appearance, Aishwarya wore a shimmering blue mermaid-style gown titled “Luminara”, paired with a flowing dupatta-inspired drape. According to the designer, the couture piece was inspired by the concept of “light in motion”, translating themes of energy, strength and transformation through sculptural craftsmanship.

“Aishwarya has always approached Cannes with a strong sense of individuality and evolution,” Amit Aggarwal said in a statement. “With ‘Luminara’, we wanted to create something that felt less like a garment and more like an energy field around her.”

Aishwarya completed the look with loose curls, pink-toned makeup and diamond-studded jewellery accented with blue stones.

During her appearance, she greeted photographers with folded hands in a namaste gesture, blew kisses to fans and posed alongside Eva Longoria, her longtime friend and fellow L’Oréal ambassador.

The pair attended the screening of “The Birthday Party” (Histoires De La Nuit), starring Monica Bellucci.