Aishwarya Rai Bachchan once again made a stunning appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Known for blending beauty with elegance, the Bollywood star wowed everyone not just with her black gown, but also with a traditional touch that carried deep cultural meaning.
Aishwarya Rai’s Classic Black Gown with a Cultural Twist
At 51, Aishwarya Rai proved that age is just a number when it comes to style. For her second red carpet-appearance, she wore a stunning black dress designed by Gaurav Gupta. The gown had a sleek, body-hugging silhouette and was made from rich velvet, giving it a luxurious and classy feel.
What made the gown even more unique was its detailed design. According to the designer, Gaurav Gupta, the dress was inspired by the Milky Way. He used hand embroidery with gold and silver sequins in abstract patterns to capture the beauty of the galaxy. It was a perfect mix of cosmic charm and old Hollywood glamour.
The Beige Banarasi Shawl That Stood Out
While most people admired the gown, the shawl Aishwarya paired it with sparked mixed reactions. She wore a beige Banarasi shawl over her glamorous black dress, which some people found surprising at first. But when Gaurav Gupta explained the reason behind it, everything made perfect sense.
The shawl wasn’t just a fashion accessory — it had a deeper message. Handwoven in Varanasi, the shawl featured an embroidered verse from the Bhagavad Gita, one of India’s most sacred texts. The verse on the shawl read:
“Karmanyevadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana.”
This powerful shloka means: “You have the right to perform your actions, but not to the results.” It’s a reminder to do your duty sincerely without worrying about success or failure. This spiritual message gave Aishwarya’s outfit a whole new dimension, making it not just stylish, but also meaningful.
A Beautiful Blend of Modern and Traditional
Gaurav Gupta shared that Aishwarya had asked for a look that was both timeless and elegant. Keeping that in mind, he created something that celebrated both Indian heritage and global fashion. The result was a look that told a story — a modern black dress representing the cosmos, paired with a traditional shawl that echoed ancient Indian wisdom.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Cannes look this year wasn’t just about looking glamorous — it was about wearing something with heart and soul. Her outfit reminded everyone that fashion can be more than just clothes; it can carry meaning, history, and values.
By wearing the Banarasi shawl with a spiritual verse, Aishwarya brought Indian culture to an international stage in a powerful yet graceful way — and left a lasting impression while doing so.
