Aishwarya Rai Bachchan shuts down divorce rumours with sindoor and saree power at Cannes

The OG Indian Queen of Cannes, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, made a grand return to the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and in doing so, silenced trolls while setting a new benchmark for elegance. Dressed in a classic white handloom ensemble, the actor radiated royalty as she embraced tradition with grace.

In recent weeks, Aishwarya found herself at the centre of unfounded divorce rumours and online speculation. Her striking appearance at Cannes, complete with a proud display of sindoor and traditional jewels, was interpreted by many fans as a graceful shut down to trolls questioning her personal life. Without saying a word, she let her look do all the talking.

For the premiere of The History of Sound, Aishwarya chose a handwoven Kadwa ivory Banarasi saree, by Manish Malhotra paired with a handwoven tissue drape, a look rooted deeply in Indian textile heritage. The ensemble was accessorised with an imperial heirloom of rubies from Manish Malhotra Jewellery, and the finishing touch, a dash of sindoor, celebrated her identity as a married Indian woman, making a quiet yet powerful statement.

Aishwarya’s saree featured an extended pallu on her left and a cascading lace train on the right, creating a beautiful asymmetry that caught the spotlight. With a folded namaste, radiant smile, and warm gestures towards fans, she owned the red carpet. Videos of her blowing kisses and waving have since gone viral, reaffirming why she remains one of Cannes’ most-loved icons.

This year marks Aishwarya's 22nd appearance at Cannes, where she walked the red carpet as L’Oréal Paris' global ambassador. Her Cannes journey began in 2002 with the premiere of Devdas, and each year, she has brought Indian heritage to the global stage, this time, in the most rooted and resplendent form.

Indian storytelling also had a proud moment at Cannes. Director Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound premiered under the Un Certain Regard section and received a 9-minute standing ovation. Stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor joined the filmmaker for the red carpet and photocall.

Adding to the celebration of Indian cinema, Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri was screened in the Cannes Classics section. Film legends Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal attended the screening, introduced by Wes Anderson. The restored masterpiece was met with a standing ovation, honouring the genius of Ray.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Cannes 2025 appearance stirred widespread buzz, thanks to her regal white saree and the bold red sindoor she wore with pride. While her traditional look drew admiration, it also sparked online speculation that the sindoor was a silent nod to ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the recent retaliatory strike by the Indian Armed Forces. Though social media lit up with theories linking her choice to a patriotic gesture, Aishwarya has remained tight-lipped, offering no clarification or comment on the speculation.