Aishwarya Rai’s sindoor to Alia Bhatt’s Nazar Ka Tika: How Indian celebs brought tradition to the Cannes Red Carpet

Aishwarya Rai at Cannes in Manish Malhotra creation (Images: @manishmalhotra05/Instagram)

Trust Indian celebrities to carry their cultural roots wherever they go—and the Cannes Film Festival was no exception. At its 78th edition, popular celebs proudly embraced tradition, making a statement both on and off the red carpet. From Alia Bhatt’s nazar tika to Aishwarya Rai’s sindoor, these subtle yet significant touches didn’t go unnoticed.

Alia Bhatt’s ‘Nazar Ka Tika’

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While Alia Bhatt made her grand red carpet debut in an ethereal Schiaparelli gown, netizens were quick to notice a kaala tika behind her left ear. For those unfamiliar, it’s rooted in a traditional belief that it wards off the evil eye. This isn’t the first time the actress has worn it—it was also spotted during the Met Gala 2024, where she appeared in a Sabyasachi saree.

Aishwarya Rai’s Sindoor and Sanskrit Shloka

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Aishwarya looked like a dream on the red carpet this time in an ivory Manish Malhotra saree. It was accessorised with 500-carats of Mozambique Ruby jewels and uncut diamonds but what truly stole the spotlight was her wearing her sindoor with pride. While some considered it to be linked to Operation Sindoor, others thought that she signalled her marriage was far from over. Whatever the reason may be, she got attention and for all the right reasons.

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In a different outing, where Aishwarya wore a Gaurav Gupta creation, she carried a handwoven Banarasi brocade cape inscribed with a Sanskrit shloka from the Bhagavad Gita: “You have a right to perform your actions, but not to the fruits of those actions. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.”

Janhvi Kapoor’s Nazar Battu

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Before Alia, Homebound actress Janhvi Kapoor made her red carpet debut in head-turning outfits—but what caught the eye was the black thread she wore around her wrist, not only during her first appearance but also the second. Traditionally, kaala dhaaga is worn to protect against negative energy or nazar, acting as a shield. Though Janhvi has worn it before, wearing it on her wrist indicated her ease with making personal beliefs evident.

Aditi Rao Hydari’s Bridal Sindoor

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Aditi, who married actor Siddharth last year, transformed into a graceful new bride in a red Raw Mango saree. The timeless drape, paired with exquisite jewellery, turned heads for more reasons than one. The actress wore sindoor, just like Aishwarya, embracing a look that was truly traditional and Indian in all its glory.