Alia Bhatt Reflects on Cannes Debut: A “Pinch-Me Moment” Inspired by Aishwarya Rai

Alia Bhatt recently made her highly anticipated debut at the Cannes Film Festival as a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, and the experience left a lasting impression.

In a candid interview with Brut, Alia shared her feelings about walking one of the world’s most prestigious red carpets. She described the moment as “pretty overwhelming,” acknowledging the mix of excitement and pressure that comes with such a high-profile event. “There’s a lot of people and there’s a lot of energy, and you’re also focusing on looking good, smiling correctly, and not tripping over your dress,” she explained.

Alia also reflected on the widespread anticipation and scrutiny surrounding Cannes red carpet looks, particularly in the age of social media. “Ever since the social media boom, I think around this time everybody’s on their phone looking at the red carpet looks, looking at the beauty looks.”

Growing up, Alia was particularly inspired by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s iconic presence at Cannes. “I, for one, have actually grown up watching Aishwarya walk the carpet in all her glory. She really represented India on this global stage. It was always such a huge inspiration. So it really feels very nice — like a pinch-me moment — to be here.”

When it came to choosing her own red carpet outfits, Alia emphasized the importance of authenticity and personal comfort. “When I go for any appearance, I’m more focused on how I’m feeling as opposed to how I’m looking. ‘Cause I feel like if you feel good, you look good.”

She added, “You have to have a part of yourself in any expression — whether it’s fashion or creative. If it’s not authentic, it just sort of falls flat.” Alia described her approach to styling as intuitive and efficient. “Just trying on the look, seeing what comes to your mind first — okay, this works, okay let’s go with this. I also like to move really quick. I don’t like to take too much time or overthink anything. So yeah, it’s a very seamless, simple process.”