Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a stunning return to the red carpet at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on Friday, donning a dazzling blue and silver gown by the renowned designer duo Falguni Shane Peacock. The gown, characterized by its metallic fringe, dramatic shoulders, and sweeping train, added a touch of glamour to the event. Aishwarya, who has been a regular at Cannes for over twenty years, walked the red carpet for the premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ new film, "Kinds of Kindness," featuring Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone. Notably, Aishwarya was seen wearing a cast on her right hand, though the cause of her injury remains unknown.

Aishwarya had earlier graced the festival on Thursday in another creation by Falguni Shane Peacock. This gown, a monochrome piece adorned with 3D metallic details and gold accents, was worn to the premiere of Francis Ford Coppola's latest film, "Megalopolis," starring Adam Driver.

Another highlight from Cannes was the debut of actress Kiara Advani. She made her first appearance at the French Riviera in a beautifully draped ivory crepe satin dress designed by Prabal Gurung. Kiara, representing India, attended the Red Sea Film Foundation’s Women in Cinema Gala dinner, sharing her excitement on Instagram with a video captioned “Rendezvous at the Riviera.”

The festival also saw a strong representation of Indian cinema. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light" is competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or, while Sandhya Suri’s "Santosh" will be showcased in the Un Certain Regard section. Additionally, "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know," a short film by students from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), has been shortlisted in the La Cinef Competitive section. Karan Kandhari’s "Sister Midnight" and Maisam Ali’s "In Retreat" will be featured in the Directors’ Fortnight and L’Acid sections, respectively.

Adding to the celebration of Indian cinema, a restored version of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 classic "Manthan" was screened on Friday under the Cannes Classics section, which highlights restored prints and cinematic milestones.

The 2024 Cannes Film Festival continues to be a significant platform for global and Indian cinema, showcasing a diverse array of talent and storytelling from around the world.