Alia Bhatt was seen on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday evening in an ice blue gown. Her ‘Cinderella’ look was seen during the premiere of the film ‘A Woman’s Life’ (La Vie D’Une Femme).
Hours before arriving on the red carpet, Alia shared pictures and videos of her look on her Instagram story, tagging L’Oréal Paris.
The world’s most prestigious film festival and cultural event, Cannes, began on May 12. The festival will continue until May 23 in the French Riviera, France. So far, 4 looks of Alia from Cannes have been revealed.
See Alia’s fourth look
Alia’s outfit featured a fitted, sculptural corset that flowed into a layered tulle skirt, transforming into a voluminous gown.
Alia wore a custom-made ice blue gown by American fashion designer Daniel Frankel.
To keep her look simple, Alia wore a mesh lace choker and diamond drop earrings with it.
Alia styled her face with soft luminous makeup, nude lips, and her hair in a beautiful braided bun.
See Alia’s third look
Alia wore an ivory-coloured corset saree.
For the third look, Alia appeared in an ivory saree by designer Tarun Tahiliani.
This saree was a blend of traditional Indian look and modern Western design.
Alia reached the India Pavilion in French Riviera, where she launched the poster and creative vision of the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) with filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker.
See Alia’s second look
Alia Bhatt wore a custom Tamara Ralph gown on the red carpet of the Cannes Opening Ceremony.
Alia Bhatt wore a blush pink bodycon corset floor-length dress.
Alia completed this look with minimal jewellery.
Alia also carried a long chiffon dupatta with the western dress. She was styled by Rhea Kapoor.
Alia Bhatt has posted pictures from the Cannes Red Carpet on her official social media account.
See Alia’s first look
Alia was seen in a corset-style printed ball gown.
The gown had shades of pastel green, blue, lavender, and light yellow, giving the feeling of a garden painting.
Alia wore minimal jewelry with her tied-up hair.
Alia has joined Cannes 2026 as L’Oral Paris’ Global Ambassador.
Iulia Vantur walked the Cannes Red Carpet
Actress Iulia Vantur walked the Cannes Red Carpet on Wednesday to promote her short film ‘Echoes of Us’. She wore an ice-blue turquoise gown designed by Tamara Ralph.
On the red carpet, Iulia posed for photographers, sent flying kisses to fans, and also made a heart gesture with her hands.
Iulia shared a video reel on her Instagram, describing the experience as a “Magic Evening.” Actor Deepak Tijori and director Joe Rajan were also present with her on this occasion. The second teaser of the film will be shown at Marche du Film in Cannes and later at the French Riviera Film Festival.
Tara Sutaria to debut on Cannes Red Carpet
Apart from Alia Bhatt and Iulia Vantur, Urvashi Rautela also appeared on the red carpet. Now, Mouni Roy, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Ehsaas Channa from India will also walk the red carpet at Cannes. Actress Tara Sutaria is also set to make her debut on the Cannes red carpet. While, the fans are shocked by the absence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the fest, as she was the regular attendee of the festival.
Urvashi Rautela wore a dress by Vietnam’s Jolly Poly designer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal affected the tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to the public to travel less and use less oil and fuel. This is why Maharashtra’s Cultural Department is no longer participating in the Cannes Film Festival. Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, stated that after PM Modi’s appeal, the department’s delegation will no longer go to Cannes. He said that the use of vehicles in the department would be reduced and essential meetings would be held virtually.
India’s regional cinema will shine at Cannes 2026
The Indo-American film Bombay Stories will also be screened at Cannes. This film is based on Manto’s novel, which depicts the story of sex workers living in 1930s Bombay. The film is directed by Rahat Shah Kazmi. Actress Mouni Roy will be present at Cannes during the screening of this film.
In its classical segment, the 40-year-old Malayalam film Amma Ariyan will also be screened at Cannes.
These regional cinema films also reached Cannes-
Punjabi Cinema- Popular singer and actor Amy Virk’s film Chardikala is to be screened at Cannes. Amy Virk will make his debut at Cannes for its screening. His co-star Roopi Gill will also arrive at Cannes with him.
Malayalam Cinema- Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram’s film Balan: The Boy is to be screened at Cannes.
The film Balan: The Boy will be screened on May 14.
Gujarati Cinema- Actress Manasi Parekh is going to attend Cannes this year with producer Parthiv Gohil. Gujarati film Lalo: Krishna Sada Sahayate will also be screened at Cannes.
Marathi Cinema- From the Marathi film industry, actor Ashok Saraf, Nivedita Saraf, actress Prajakta Mali, and producer Kedar Joshi will be part of Cannes.
Payal Kapadia Becomes Jury, Ashutosh Gowariker Official Delegates
Ashutosh Gowariker, who made Lagaan, has become part of Cannes this year as India’s official delegate. Payal Kapadia, who won two Cannes awards, the Grand Prix and the Golden Eye Award, in 2021 and 2024, is joining Cannes this year as a jury member. She will be a jury member for the Critics’ Week category.
Payal Kapadia with the team of All We Imagine As Light at Cannes 2025.
Aishwarya Rai was the first Indian actress to become a Cannes jury member
Every year, selected people from around the world are included in the jury. Mrinal Sen was the first Indian to be included in the jury in 1982. Besides him, the first Indian female director to become a jury member was Mira Nair. Aishwarya Rai is the first Indian actress to be made a jury member at Cannes. However, now Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan, and Sharmila Tagore are also included in this list.
Palm d’Or to be awarded on the last day of the ceremony
The Palm d’Or is Cannes’ biggest and most prestigious award. This award is given to the best film selected in the festival’s main competition. It is considered the highest honor at Cannes. This year, the Palm d’Or award will be presented on May 23, during the festival running from May 12-23.
India’s achievements in the history of Cannes-
India received its first Palme d’Or 80 years ago, a record that still stands today
The first Indian film to go to the Cannes Film Festival was Neecha Nagar. This film, directed by Chetan Anand, coincidentally was never released in India. It was only broadcast on Doordarshan. This film, depicting the lives of the rich and poor, received the Cannes Film Festival’s best Palme d’Or award. Neecha Nagar is the only Indian film to win this award.
Additionally, around 21 films like Do Bigha Zamin (1954), Boot Polish, Pather Panchali, Salaam Bombay, and Lunchbox have received awards in different categories at the Cannes Film Festival. While India has received a total of 38 nominations so far. Among the films that received nominations is Raj Kapoor’s blockbuster film Awaara.
When celebs arrived on the Cannes red carpet in traditional attire
In 2002, Aishwarya Rai wore a yellow saree at Cannes. She arrived with the team of the film Devdas.
Aishwarya Rai in a designer custom saree by Manish Malhotra at Cannes 2025.
In 2010, Deepika Padukone made her Cannes debut in an off-white and golden saree.
Deepika Padukone was part of the jury at Cannes 2022.
Deepika wore a ruffled white saree on the red carpet of the Cannes closing ceremony in 2022.
Vidya Balan wore a saree on the red carpet of Cannes 2013.
Actress and Director Nandita Das arrived at Cannes as a jury member in Cannes 2005.
Aditi Rao Hydari arrived at Cannes on behalf of L’Oral in 2025.
Sharmila Tagore arrived at Cannes as a jury member in 2009.
Sonam Kapoor in Anamika Khanna’s designer saree at Cannes 2013.
Sonam Kapoor wore a pink Indo-Western saree at Cannes 2014.
Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil and Shyam Benegal at Cannes 1976.
These celebrity looks on the Cannes Red Carpet were mocked
Aishwarya Rai’s dress worn on the Cannes Red Carpet was heavily trolled. Trollers compared it to birthday decorations.
At Cannes 2019, Deepika Padukone wore Giambattista Valli’s neon green long trail dress, which was heavily ridiculed.
Aishwarya was heavily criticized for wearing blue-purple lipstick on the Cannes red carpet.
Urvashi was trolled for looking heavy in a multicolor heavy gown at Cannes 2025.
Ruchi Gujjar was heavily trolled for wearing Narendra Modi’s neckpiece at Cannes 2025.
A look at the glorious history of Cannes-
Cannes started against Hitler’s dictatorship
The Venice Film Festival was started in 1938, but at that time, Germany’s dictator Adolf Hitler and Italy’s dictator Mussolini used to distribute awards to their favorite people. Annoyed by their dictatorship, many jury members left the Venice Film Festival and decided to start a free festival, the location of which was decided as Cannes, Paris.
The French government signed its documents and declared it the official Cannes Film Festival. The first film festival was scheduled to take place from September 1-20, 1939. A gala night was held a day before, but when the festival began on September 1, Hitler’s attack on Poland caused an uproar at the ceremony, and the ceremony had to be postponed for 10 days.
Instead of improving, the situation worsened when war was declared between France and the United Kingdom. Due to the Second World War, the Cannes Film Festival was postponed for 6 years.
After a 6-year wait due to World War 2, the first ceremony took place from September 20 – October 5, 1946, in which 20 countries participated. In 1947, due to poor management, only 16 countries participated.
A picture of the Cannes Film Festival held in 1947.
The following year, in 1948, the ceremony did not take place due to budget constraints. In 1949, people were again disappointed with event management. In 1950, the film festival did not happen again as they could not afford the expenses. From 1951 until now, the ceremony was only canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Award made of 18-carat gold, worth approximately ₹18 lakh
In 1955, the Festival Committee launched the Palm D’or award, which is the highest award of this ceremony. In 1964, the Palm D’or was replaced by the Grand Prix, although the Palm D’or award was reinstated from 1975. It is prepared by the Swiss jewelry firm Chopard. It is crafted from 18-carat yellow gold and emerald-cut diamonds. The cost of this single award is 27 thousand dollars, which is ₹18 lakh.
Leonardo DiCaprio presenting the Palm D’or to Robert De Niro in 2025.
₹2.8 crore are spent on dinner
During the Cannes Film Festival, Hotel Barrire Le Majestic in Cannes takes responsibility for catering the opening and closing events for guests. A total of 347,000 dollars, or ₹2.8 crore are spent just on guests’ dinners.
Special Dinner Made with 2000 Lobsters
According to a report by the website Business Insider, the hotel prepares 770 pounds (340 kilograms) of a dish called Foie Gras for dinner, which is a special French dish made from duck liver. Additionally, 110 pounds (49 kilograms) of caviar are prepared here, which is one of the world’s most expensive dishes. Approximately 132,000 dollars, or 1 crore rupees, are spent on this dish. For this dinner, 2000 kilograms of crabs (lobsters) are used every year, costing 39 lakh rupees.
Guests Consume 18500 Bottles of Wine-Champagne
Wine and champagne are also served at dinners held for celebrities. Throughout the Cannes Festival, approximately 18,500 bottles of wine and champagne are served. According to The Hollywood Reporter website, mostly 1990 Chateau Petrus wine is served at the ceremony. A bottle of which costs $9390, making it the sixth most expensive wine in the world.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, apart from dinner, $150,000 (which is 1 crore 23 lakh rupees) is also spent on drinks, food, laser lights, photographs, and music for other occasions.
Entry banned on the red carpet if flat sandals are worn instead of heels
According to the rules of the Red Carpet, it is mandatory for female celebrities arriving at the ceremony to wear heels. This rule was made in 2015. If any celebrity arrives here without heels, they are not allowed into the ceremony. In 2015, a similar case became controversial, where some female celebrities were not allowed inside for not wearing heels. Actresses Kristen Stewart and Julia Roberts have also removed their heels on the Red Carpet in protest of this rule.
Aishwarya Rai wore flat footwear on the Red Carpet at Cannes 2004.
Ban on Handbags and Selfies
There is no specific dress code for the red carpet, however, it is mandatory for every celeb attending to look glamorous. Surprisingly, carrying handbags on the red carpet is strictly prohibited. Celebs attending here cannot carry clutches or any other bag in their hand. The red carpet rule book states: ‘Please leave your handbags at your hotel.’
Taking photos or selfies on the red carpet is also strictly prohibited; any celeb can only get their picture clicked by the paparazzi on the red carpet.
The 2-kilometer red carpet is changed 3 times a day
The celebrities who walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival are the most talked about. The red carpet was laid for the first time in 1989, on which numerous personalities walked to become part of the festival. Wearing expensive dresses and jewelry, celebrities walk on this red carpet all day long, surrounded by crowds of paparazzi and media on three sides. This red carpet is 2 kilometers long, and to keep it looking clean, it is changed 3 times a day.
Paparazzi entry banned without 5-piece suit
There is also a dress code for paparazzi who arrive to click celebrities on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Paparazzi can only come wearing a black tuxedo suit, tie/bow, and formal shoes. If the dress code is violated, they are stopped from clicking photos there. However, female paparazzi are exempt from this dress code.
Some important facts related to the Cannes Film Festival-
- Jury members were facing difficulties in film selection, and original films and filmmakers making new films were getting more preference. Considering this, the Special Jury Award category was introduced in 1954.
- In 1955, the Palme d’Or award (the award given to winners) was introduced. Before this, winners were honored with the Grand Prix.
- Dolores del Río was the first woman to become a jury member of this ceremony in 1957.
- In 1989, the red carpet was laid for the first time, on which many celebrities walked to become part of the festival.
- From 1951 until now, the Cannes Film Festival was canceled only in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2015, an objection was raised against celebrities wearing flat-soled sandals, against which many famous personalities raised their voice and protested.
- Considering the increasing MeToo cases worldwide, the Cannes Film Festival launched a telephone hotline during the festival in 2018. Celebrities can immediately use this hotline if there is any complaint related to MeToo.
- General Delegate Thierry Frmaux banned taking selfies during the Cannes Film Festival in 2015.
- In 1950, Chetan Anand became the first Indian member to join the International Jury.
- In 2003, Aishwarya Rai became the first Indian woman to join the jury.
- In 2022, for the first time, India received an invitation as the Country of Honour from the Cannes Film Festival.
