The 79th Festival de Cannes (2026) is officially in full swing, and Alia Bhatt has already made a major impact as a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. After delivering two distinct fashion moments on the French Riviera, the actress took a moment to pay tribute to the woman who paved the way for Indian cinema at the festival: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Alia Bhatt’s “Fairytale” Returns to the Red Carpet
Returning for her second consecutive year, Alia showcased her versatility with two highly praised looks that blended high fashion with cinematic storytelling.
- Day 1: The Peachy Premiere Alia opened her 2026 run in a custom Tamara Ralph couture gown. The strapless peach number featured a sculpted sweetheart neckline and dramatic chiffon drapes. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the look was accessorized with a striking coral-and-diamond necklace that perfectly matched the “dreamy Riviera” aesthetic.
- Day 2: The Hand-Painted Ballgown For her second appearance, Alia opted for a “fairytale” steel blue ballgown by designer Yash Patil (from his collection That Antique Piece). The gown featured a corseted bodice and a voluminous skirt adorned with hand-painted artwork and intricate botanical embroidery, inspired by the Renaissance.
A Tribute to the “OG” Queen of Cannes
In a recent interview with Vogue, Alia was asked to name a Cannes look that she considers truly “iconic.” Without hesitation, she pointed to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s 2002 debut.
“A Cannes look that actually goes down in my memory as absolutely iconic would have to be Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the ‘Devdas’ premiere. The beautiful sari that she wore and just her face… it was so iconic.” — Alia Bhatt
The 2002 appearance is legendary in fashion history. Aishwarya arrived at the Palais des Festivals in a bright yellow Neeta Lulla saree, stepping out of a horse-drawn carriage alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. At a time when the red carpet was dominated by Western gowns, Aishwarya’s traditional Indian silhouette became a global sensation.
When Is Aishwarya Rai Appearing in 2026?
While Alia already completed her initial red-carpet duties, the “Queen of Cannes” is expected to arrive later in the festival.
- Expected Date: Aishwarya is rumored to make her first appearance of the 2026 season around May 22, closer to the closing ceremony.
- The Legacy: 2026 marks 24 years since Aishwarya’s first Cannes walk, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how she tops her previous experimental looks, such as last year’s Gaurav Gupta “Sanskrit shloka” gown.
What’s Next for Alia?
Alia isn’t just winning at fashion; her professional slate is equally packed.
- Alpha: She is set to headline the next installment of the YRF Spy Universe, Alpha.
- Love and War: She is currently filming the highly anticipated Love and War, reuniting her with Ranbir and Vicky for a 2027 release.