Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ Moment at Cannes 2025 When Tradition Trumped Trend

For over two decades, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been Bollywood’s most consistent Cannes export. From gliding in gold at her 2002 debut to becoming the first Indian actress on the Cannes jury, she’s played the long game. But this year, something changed. Aishwarya ditched the experimental couture for something deeper — something rooted.

The Look: Draped in an ivory Manish Malhotra saree, Aishwarya’s 2025 Cannes appearance was regal, restrained, and reverent. But the moment that truly went viral? The sindoor. A classic symbol of Indian womanhood, recontextualized on a global red carpet.

A Political Undercurrent? While there’s been no official statement, many online have speculated the timing wasn’t accidental. Just weeks after Operation Sindoor reignited patriotic sentiment across India, Aishwarya’s styling choice seemed like a subtle salute. For a woman often critiqued for her silence, this was a loud whisper.

Style with Symbolism: This isn’t just about “Indian wear” at Cannes. It’s about reclaiming our aesthetic from the gaze of exoticism and turning it into assertion. Aishwarya’s sindoor wasn’t performative — it was personal and powerful. In a sea of AI-generated influencer looks, she brought back meaning.

Internet Reaction: Netizens were quick to hail her as the OG Indian Queen. Fashion critics called it her best look in years. Even younger audiences, who once dismissed her Cannes appearances as outdated, flooded social media with love and nostalgia.

Conclusion: Aishwarya Rai’s 2025 Cannes look wasn’t about a saree or a stylist. It was about legacy, identity, and a woman who, even after decades in the spotlight, knows exactly how to shift the narrative without saying a word.