'Cannes queen' mystery to fresh faces: Bonjour from the Riviera!79th Cannes Film Festival sees an Indian wave: Alia Bhatt shines in peach at the red carpet, and Payal Kapadia returns as the jury chair for the Cannes Critics' Week.
The L’Oréal trinity: Aish, Alia, AditiThe Palais des Festivals remains the ultimate runway for our global ambassadors. Entering her 23rd year at the festival, Aishwarya Rai remains the most anticipated figure. While fans were recently left fuming over her absence from an initial L’Oréal promotional video — leading to accusations that the brand was ‘ignoring’ its longest-standing ambassador — L’Oréal Paris has officially responded. While the brand reassured fans that Aishwarya’s legacy with the brand remains untouched, insiders confirm she is gearing up for a major arrival. After last year’s triumph, the ‘queen of Cannes’ could return to her ‘Cinderella’ legacy with a fusion of Gaurav Gupta’s architectural structures and Manish Malhotra’s classic glamour. After her standout 2025 debut, Alia Bhatt has returned to Cannes 2026 with a bang, proving her mettle as a global icon. For her first appearance, Alia set the bar high in a magnificent, voluminous ball gown. She followed this up with a breathtaking peach gown on the red carpet, featuring an ethereal chiffon dupatta and a rare coral necklace, perfectly bridging the gap between Bollywood royalty and Parisian chic. The ‘Gajagamini’ of modern style, Aditi Rao Hydari, is also predicted to bring her signature ethereal grace, likely championing homegrown artisanal weaves at Cannes 2026.
The Urvashi glitzContrary to rumours of an absence, actor Urvashi Rautela made a high-octane return to the Riviera. For the Cannes 2026 opening, Urvashi went full glitz in a shimmering, sheer silver gown encrusted with crystals. In an interview from the red carpet, the actor made a bold statement about her presence: “I am no more Urvashi... I am India.” Despite the past ‘staircase-gate’ controversy, Urvashi continues to secure her spot as one of the most talked-about Indian faces at the festival. The south rises2026 is officially the year the Bollywood-centric narrative breaks. Fresh off the massive success of Lokah Chapter One: Chandra, Malayalam sensation Kalyani Priyadarshan is set to make her Cannes debut. Representing the new wave of south Indian cinema, Kalyani has stated she wants to ‘go with the flow’, but fans expect a sophisticated, minimalist look — think ivory and gold (Kasavu) reimagined as a modern silhouette. Regional powerhousesActors Ammy Virk and Roopi Gill will represent Chardikala, marking a proud moment for the Punjabi film industry. In a move that celebrates the roots of Indian cinema, Marathi legends Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf are also expected. Expect Nivedita to showcase a traditional nauvari saree, proving that 79 years of Cannes history is the perfect backdrop for centuries of Indian tradition.
Behind the lens: Payal Kapadia’s flexIn a massive win for Indian filmmaking, Payal Kapadia — fresh off her All We Imagine As Light success — has been named the president of the Jury for Cannes Critics’ Week. Seeing an Indian filmmaker lead a prestigious jury section is the ultimate flex for India’s film industry. Digital creators and Gen-ZGen-Z actor Tara Sutaria is rumoured to finally make her highly anticipated Cannes debut. Expect content creators Sufi Motiwala, Ishita Mangal, and Rida Tharana to dominate Instagram feeds, likely ditching heavy sequins for hand-loomed textiles in a push for sustainable luxury. The ‘big moment’ predictionKeep an eye out for fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Not only is he expected to walk the carpet again, but rumour has it he’s dressing several international stars this year, further cementing Indian couture as a global powerhouse. Watch the Palais steps. Between Aishwarya’s legacy, Alia’s peach-hued elegance, and Urvashi’s silver sparkle, it is already a historic year for the Indian contingent. Who are you most excited to see at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet this year?
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