When Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her Cannes debut in a yellow saree, atop a chariot

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been a Cannes regular through the years, representing both Indian cinema and the global beauty brand L'Oreal as their ambassador. This year too she walked the red carpet looking ethereal in an ivory Manish Malhotra saree, topped with a layered ruby necklace and sindoor adorning her forehead.

The saree-look brings back memories of Aishwarya’s first appearance at the world cinema gala in 2002, where she was accompanied by co-star Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali as they represented Devdas (2002). Aishwarya made her grand appearance at the red carpet in a horse-drawn chariot, wearing a Neeta Lulla yellow saree with a golden border. She completed the look with traditional kundan jewellery and a striking eye-makeup. Her elegance and poise gave the final touch.

In the throwback photos being circulated on social media, Aishwarya can be seen being escorted by a tuxedoed Shah Rukh down her chariot and on to the red carpet.

Recently Karan Johar reminisced about Devdas’s opening at Cannes, “I remember it began in the year 2002, it was also the year that Devdas had a beautiful screening, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shah Rukh were on the red carpet,” he said.

He went on to add, “Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is literally the queen of Cannes. Like, every time she's here, she creates such a huge amount of media energy and excitement.”

This year, Aishwarya attended the premiere of filmmaker Oliver Hermanus' historical drama The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, at the Cannes Film Festival.