Cannes [France], May 22: Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made waves once again at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, gracing the red carpet in a bold and intricate black couture gown designed by Gaurav Gupta. The gown, aptly named ‘Heiress of Clam’, was a custom creation featuring elaborate hand embroidery in shades of silver, gold, charcoal, and black, exemplifying Gupta’s signature blend of structure and opulence.
Adding a distinct cultural touch, Aishwarya complemented her dramatic look with a Banarasi brocade cape handwoven in Varanasi. The standout feature of the cape was its inscription — a Sanskrit shloka from the Bhagavad Gita, infusing traditional Indian philosophy into contemporary couture.
The actress was accompanied by her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, who looked elegant in a black ensemble. Viral videos on social media captured the touching moment as the mother-daughter duo walked hand in hand, enchanting fans with their charm and bond.
Earlier in the week, Aishwarya made another memorable appearance in a traditional Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra, complete with sindoor, evoking memories of her 2002 Cannes debut when she wore a yellow saree alongside Shah Rukh Khan. In 2003, she continued to champion Indian textiles on the global stage, further cementing her legacy as a cultural ambassador.
Aishwarya’s dual looks — one modern and one traditional — have won applause for seamlessly blending global fashion sensibilities with Indian heritage.