May 22, 2025: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, fondly dubbed the “Queen of Cannes,” made her much-anticipated appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, commanding attention with her regal ensemble and a bold cultural statement that left fans and media abuzz.
Draped in a pristine white saree adorned with intricate gold detailing, the former Miss World exuded timeless elegance. But what truly turned heads was her choice to wear bright red sindoor—a traditional mark of a married Hindu woman—boldly displayed in her hair parting. The look was completed with a striking red emerald necklace, further elevating her royal appearance.
Rai, who has been a regular at the Cannes red carpet for over two decades as a L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador, seemed to be making more than just a fashion statement. The sindoor, many observed, came amid persistent rumours suggesting turbulence in her marriage to actor Abhishek Bachchan. In a world where celebrity silence often fuels speculation, Aishwarya’s visible embrace of this cultural symbol was interpreted by many as a graceful yet pointed response to her critics.
Meanwhile, eyes turned to Amitabh Bachchan—veteran actor and father-in-law to Aishwarya—whose social media behavior has raised eyebrows. Known for his regular and often poetic updates on X (formerly Twitter), Bachchan has maintained an unusual streak of blank, numbered posts since April 22—the day of the tragic Pahalgam attack.
While he has broken the silence only a few times—with emotionally resonant posts condemning violence, quoting his father and legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and saluting the Indian Army—his feed has remained largely cryptic. His most recent public writings reference verses from the Ramcharitmanas and explore themes of resilience, patriotism, and spiritual endurance.
Bachchan later wrote on his blog that he has returned to work after a brief hiatus, without commenting on family matters. His silence, in contrast with Aishwarya’s commanding presence on the Cannes red carpet, has only intensified public curiosity.
Though neither the Bachchan family nor their representatives have officially addressed the marriage rumours, the layered symbolism on display—through both silence and spectacle—has added a new dimension to this year’s Cannes narrative.
As the festival continues, all eyes remain not just on the films, but on the quiet drama unfolding beyond the silver screen.