Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Friday made her first appearance at the 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, walking the red carpet in a sculptural blue gown by designer Amit Aggarwal.

Aishwarya, who has represented L'Oréal Paris at Cannes since 2003 as a global brand ambassador, greeted photographers with a namaste on Friday and posed alongside fellow ambassador and actor Eva Longoria on the red carpet.

The actresses attended the screening of Palme d'Or contender The Birthday Party, starring Monica Bellucci.

The outfit, titled “Luminara”, was described as a couture creation inspired by the idea of light in motion, translating light as energy, movement and force through sculptural construction and engineered craftsmanship.

Aishwarya completed the look with a sheen dupatta, soft loose curls, pink-toned makeup, red lipstick and diamond-studded jewellery featuring blue stones.

Later in the evening, the actor changed into a pastel pink gown with floral detailing and a flowing sheer cape by Sophie Couture for the “Lights On Women’s Worth” event, attended by Longoria, Ariana Greenblatt, Amy Jackson and others.

She was accompanied by her 14-year-old daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, who wore a satin red gown paired with a shimmering cape.

The appearance marked one of Aaradhya’s more prominent outings on an international red carpet, though she has accompanied her mother to Cannes events in previous years.

Aishwarya’s arrival at the annual film and fashion gala followed weeks of speculation that began on May 10, when L'Oréal Paris shared a promotional video showing large campaign visuals being mounted on a hotel facade in Cannes ahead of the festival.

The clip featured Alia Bhatt, Viola Davis, Longoria and Helen Mirren, but not Aishwarya, prompting questions about her absence across Instagram and X.

Responding to a follower who asked about Aishwarya’s absence, L'Oréal Paris replied: “Year after year, Cannes after Cannes, she never misses”.