Aishwarya Rai once again captured the attention of Indian internet users with her stunning appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. She graced the premiere of The History of Sound wearing a pristine white Manish Malhotra saree, adorned with striking ruby necklaces. Her vibrant red sindoor and the regal train trailing behind her evoked memories of a beloved icon — herself.
Many fans were instantly reminded of Paro from Devdas after seeing Aishwarya’s latest look at Cannes. Social media buzzed with photos and videos of her from the red carpet, shared by fashion and Bollywood accounts, including the popular anonymous fashion critic Diet Sabya. Their witty commentary perfectly captured the mood: “OH SHE BROUGHT THE MARTINEZ TO A SCREECHING HALT LMAOOO. Not a soul blinked. Waiters dropped trays. Champagne paused mid-bubble. Girls in archival Gaultier turned their heads. The girlies and the gays knew.”
Was Paro reincarnated in 2025? Absolutely. The fandom agreed that Aishwarya, often hailed as the ‘OG Kween of Cannes,’ was fully ‘mothering’ the moment. Comments flooded in with playful reactions, such as imagining her queenly stride through a sasural dining room after waking up late, or praising her timeless beauty with lines like “The face card never declined 🔥1000/10.” Others predicted the look would inspire countless imitation attempts at weddings this season.
The resemblance to Paro’s ‘thakurain era’ in Devdas was unmistakable — the red sindoor, the saree with golden borders, heavy jewelry, and high-contrast makeup all echoed the iconic character. Fans quoted lines from the film: “Bade ghar ki thakurayan,” “Roop bhi hai, Gun bhi aur daulat bhi,” and “The only chaand who has no daag.” Some even humorously imagined an alternate ending to Devdas where Paro divorces her wealthy husband and finds new love, blending nostalgia with a modern twist.
Meanwhile, at Cannes, Aishwarya represented L’Oreal, the cosmetics giant. This year’s 78th Cannes Film Festival has seen a remarkable Indian presence, with filmmaker Payal Kapadia serving on the main competition jury. Legendary Bollywood actresses Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal were present for the premiere of the restored 1970 classic Aranyer Din Ratri by Satyajit Ray.
Additionally, director Neeraj Ghaywan showcased his film Homebound in the Un Certain Regard section, accompanied by actors Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and producer Karan Johar, highlighting a strong Bollywood contingent at the prestigious event.
