Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a captivating return to the Cannes red carpet late last evening, drawing global attention with a look that many hailed as one of her finest. For her 22nd appearance at the prestigious festival, the former Miss World stepped out in an exquisite ivory sari, marking a significant shift in her red carpet choices over the years—this time earning unanimous praise from fans and fashion critics alike.
The sari, designed by renowned couturier Manish Malhotra, celebrated the richness of Indian handloom. Malhotra shared details of the ensemble on Instagram, describing it as “a meditation in ivory, rose gold, and silver: a handwoven Kadwa ivory Banarasi handloom #mymmsaree.” The Kadwa brocade technique, known for its intricate craftsmanship, involves the separate weaving of each motif using multiple shuttles and supplementary threads, originating from the famed looms of Varanasi.
The ivory drape was adorned with handwoven brocade motifs and hand-embroidered zari detailing in genuine silver, extending the sanctity and grandeur of traditional Indian textiles. Complementing the sari was a sheer white tissue dupatta, edged with real gold and silver zardozi embroidery. The ensemble, as Malhotra noted, “marks a deliberate departure from conventional red carpet codes,” reintroducing the saree as contemporary couture and redefining Indian ceremonial fashion on a global platform.
Adding to the elegance of the look were the opulent jewels—over 500 carats of Mozambique rubies and uncut diamonds set in 18k gold—also designed by Malhotra. The final touch, which drew significant admiration, was the sindoor and bold red lipstick, lending a vibrant contrast to her otherwise understated palette and reinforcing her connection to tradition.
As soon as Aishwarya stepped out of her hotel, social media erupted with admiration. Netizens praised her for embracing her heritage, with many commenting that the look finally matched her timeless beauty. One user wrote, “She is gorgeous & finally wearing something that is matching her beauty,” while another added, “After how many years she wore a sari? Wondering why she stopped. It is working for her.” Others applauded Malhotra’s work, calling it a look that did “justice” to her presence at Cannes.
Aditi Rao Hydari painted the French Riviera red in a silk sari.
Interestingly, Aishwarya wasn’t the only Indian actress making headlines for celebrating her roots. Earlier in the day, Aditi Rao Hydari, who recently married actor Siddharth, also chose to don a sari paired with sindoor for her Cannes appearance. Draped in a striking red six-yard creation by Raw Mango, Aditi wore the brand’s Sultanah sari, which, as noted in the press release, is “composed of a silk warp and weft, resulting in a smooth silk surface that is loved and recognised for its possibilities, sumptuous tactility, and outwardly lustre.”
Aditi accessorised her traditional look with a statement choker, matching earrings, a red bindi, and sindoor, with her hair neatly tied in a bun—exuding elegance and modern cultural pride. Her appearance, like Aishwarya’s, highlighted the growing influence of Indian couture at global events, especially as more celebrities embrace traditional aesthetics in bold and meaningful ways.