Exclusive: Mohit Rai on styling Aishwarya Rai for Cannes 2026

For Indians, Cannes is inseparable from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The most-searched personality on the Film Festival’s red carpet, Aishwarya, is known for her risqué fashion choices that end up breaking the Internet. From proudly wearing a lilac lipstick (2016) that, despite being trolled relentlessly at first for setting obnoxious beauty standards, later became a bold fashion choice, to having her Cinderella moment in Michael Cinco (2017), she never ceases to command attention, whether you hate or love her looks.

This year, Aishwarya has finally arrived, ending days of build-up by the frenzied Internet. The actress looked like an electrifying vision in a custom Amit Aggarwal-designed ‘Luminara’ couture gown. Centred around the idea of light in motion, the abyss blue ensemble looked luminous with crystal vein embroidery on the former Miss World, who has been gracing Cannes for 24 years as a global ambassador for L’Oreal Paris.

As she walked, she belonged to the red carpet. Structured wing-like extensions emerging from the shoulders evoked movement and unparalleled aural energy that only the Queen of Cannes could exude.

Aishwarya’s Stylist for Cannes 2026

The look was brought to life by influential celebrity stylist Mohit Rai. He is among India’s most influential celebrity stylists turned fashion designers. The NIFT graduate has spent over 15 years shaping the public image of stars, including Paris Hilton, Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Disha Patani, and Vaani Kapoor, before co-founding his craft-first fashion label, ITRH, in 2019 with his college friend Ridhi Bansal.

Working with Aishwarya for the first time, Mohit tells us, “It feels absolutely surreal working with Aishwarya on a platform that she has been iconically associated with for the last so many years. Her personal style is classical and timeless. Each look has taken several months to put together, from conceptualising it to its execution, to the HMU moodboards over the last few months.”

Ask him how involved Aishwarya was in her Cannes 2026 look, and he says, “Aishwarya is very collaborative and involved throughout the process — not just through the clothes but even the thought that she puts into the jewellery, hair, makeup, and all of it. Having said that, she has full faith in her team and is open to creative conversations and collaboration. As our end result, we hoped to create
the best for her.”

Creating a red carpet look for Cannes for the most-awaited personality had its own set of design challenges. “Figuring out the right proportion for her, the walkability and making sure the 3D texturing and embellishment sit correctly on the body were some of the aspects that we took care of,” Mohit tells us.

Styling a superstar comes with the responsibility of honouring their individuality. For Mohit, that’s the key to creating timeless looks instead of forgotten trend-driven spectacle.“What helps is understanding the aesthetic of the person we’re working with (Aishwarya in this case) and building from that, rather than chasing trends on the Internet and putting them together. Also, going ahead with instinct rather than what the Internet is saying, and making one choose really helps,” he tells us.

Aishwarya is not the only fashion icon who has worn an Indian designer this year at Cannes. Diana Penty wore a custom gold sari by Manish Malhotra and a gown from Amit Aggarwal, Aditi Rao Hydari chose a champagne sari by JADE by Monica and Karishma, and Huma Qureshi opted for a mauve silk Banarasi saree by Shanti Banaras, amongst others.

Commenting on how Indian celebrity fashion at Cannes has evolved in the last two decades, Mohit shares, “I think people have now started thinking about Indian representation on a global level, which is why a lot of them will have our Indian designers amongst the roster of looks they do across an event as such. Showcasing Indian craftsmanship, aesthetic, and a narrative at a global level has become key for them. Indian representation now has a seat at the table, rightfully so, as designers/stylists across the fashion industry as well put forth the best of the best designs, curated thoughtfully.”

Ask Mohit about his best looks of all time by Indian celebrities on the red carpet, and he recounts, “Aishwariya for the Devdas premiere in the mango sari by Neeta Lulla, Natasha Poonawala in Schiaparelli x Sabyasachi at the MET and Sonam Kapoor wearing Iris Van Herpen Spring/Summer 2021.”

Why does Aishwarya’s Cannes looks matter?

Aishwarya’s presence is etched in memory not just as the belle of the ball at Cannes. She moves beyond the ‘grand reveal’ narrative. Beyond the aural energy loop. Beyond the beauty queen tag. In fact, her looks mirror the way India is looked at on the global red carpet.

In the early 2000s, India was trying to find its footing on the international red carpet. It was attempting to find its voice as a newly globalised economy. At such a precarious time, cultural assertion of identity became its armour. And Aishwarya wore that heritage on her sleeve. For instance, as a proud Indian, the Guru star wore a golden sari by Indian designer Neeta Lulla with gold jewellery for her debut at Devdas’ premiere (2002). The heavily ornate look divided the critics but became iconic for announcing ‘Bollywood has arrived’ at the film festival. Till 2004, she kept choosing Indian wear such as sarees and lehengas by Neeta Lulla.

But between 2004-2011, Aishwarya’s red carpet looks veer towards the West. Indian Maximalism was out. Instead, sleek, minimalist, polished, and Western silhouettes like gowns ruled her red carpet looks at Cannes. She was seen wearing gowns by Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, and Giorgio Armani in neutral shades, exuding Hollywood glamour. From plunging necklines, dramatic trains, to sculpted fittings, her looks made her the darling of the red carpet, garnering global attention.

Next came the 2010s. When India was exerting its global soft power, it felt just as fitting to find a global language while embracing Indian roots. Aishwarya switched between returning to the Indian craft and wearing Western couture. From a sheer Sabyasachi saree (2010) to making a case for chikankari sari by Abu Jaani Sandeep Khosla (2012), looking like a sexy siren on the Riviera with a golden gown by Cavalli (2014), to having her princess moment in Michael Cinco (2017), she has only got bolder and more experimental every year, unnerved by trolls and critics.

One year, it was Butterfly motifs in an electrifying purple gown matched boldly with red lips (Michael Cinco, 2018). Another year, she’s looking like art in motion in a sculptural gown by Gaurav Gupta (2022), and in another, the Queen of Cannes was being brutally trolled for a hooded metallic gown by Sophie Couture (2023) and looking like a “X-Mas tree” in a Falguni and Shane Peacock (2024). But he remained unfazed. Last year, she flexed vermillion (sindoor) in a Manish Malhotra saree.

With the latest Cannes look, Aishwarya has once again reigned at Cannes.