As the former Miss World, subsequent actor, mother of one, wife of Abhishek Bachchan, Loreal global ambassador (phew!) celebrates her 46th birthday, we take a walk down the memory lane with her best Cannes red carpet looks. Considering she's one of the first Cannes-constants from India, there are many.
2002
Long before Rihanna's brighter-than-the-sun, yellow, Guo Pei dress (a.k.a The Omelet Dress) made waves on the Met Gala red carpet back in 2015, there was Aishwarya's Neeta Lulla saree.
But, before we condemn her sartorial choices from 17-years ago, let's not forget that the Y2K is best remembered by Britney and Justin's matching denim-on-denim outfits from 2001's AMA.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai in Neeta Lulla
2003
She looks more red-carpet-ready in this powder pink Greecian off-shoulder gown when compared to its predecessor. The deep side part and slicked-back hair look lends some much-needed oomph and has a definite one-up when compared to the plain-Jane blowout.
2004
Remember Bella Hadid's risque red Roberto Cavalli gown from Cannes this year? Well, consider this silver sequin-studded cut out gown from Neeta Lulla as its older, modest cousin. She burst on to the international scene as L'Oréal's global ambassador - of course, the slicked-back hair had to give way to tousled curls.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai in Neeta Lulla
2005
Tousled waves get better and so does the actor's choice of gowns. Here's Aishwarya in a semi-sheer black Gucci gown. Until she wears something from Tom Ford's eponymous label, this gown is the designer's contribution to her Cannes wardrobe.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya wearing Gucci
2006
The former miss world seems to have found her sartorial footing. Both her chutzpah and the snug-fitting Elie Saab dress that she wore fearlessly with a serpentine necklace
have the critics' nod of approval.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab Couture
2007
For her first appearance post her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya chooses this befitting Giorgio Armani off-shoulder gown. The metallic eye-shadow and the crystal-encrusted choker may seem like much in terms of 2019, but she was nailing the Noughties #OTT trend just right.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai wearing Giorgio Armani
2008
Aishwarya makes an appearance alongside her fellow L'Oréal ambassadors in a black Elie Saab gown with harness-like sleeves. The hair goes from blowouts to messy bouffant bun: The hair zeitgeist of the late Noughties.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab
2009
One of the most noteworthy outfits so far, the strapless, floor-sweeping, tiered pristine white Roberto Cavalli dress makes a smart red carpet choice - safe, sure, but smart, too.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya wearing Roberto Cavalli
2010
The saree makes a comeback on the Cannes red carpet circa the Neeta Lulla phase, and this time via a Sabyasachi creation. We love how the hair has gone back to being slick and middle-parted. The no-jewelry look is a welcome change, too.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya wearing Sabyasachi
2011
By now it's established that the actor has made Elie Saab her Cannes red carpet mainstay. Instead of choosing an A-line silhouette, though, the actor experiments with a peplum variant and it seems to pay off.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab
2012
The actor makes her first post-partum red carpet appearance in a modest Elie Saab creation with the kind of confidence that comes naturally only to a pageant winner. She remained undeterred by the Fashion Police's relentless comments on the new mother's weight gain.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab
2013
The actor moves to an elegant one-shoulder column dress by Gucci, sans jewelry. We like the hair that's been tied into a top knot - inspired by Chinese orientalism.
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai in Gucci
2014
Plain-Jane hairstyles give way to bombshell blowout to match the oomph of the golden bustier-top-mermaid-bottom Roberto Cavalli gown. One of her most flamboyant looks, no?
Embed from Getty Images Wearing Roberto Cavalli
2015
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab for amfAR Gala
2015
Off-shoulder dresses seem to be the MVP component of the actor's closet. Her eyeball-grabbing appearance in this asymmetrical hem Ralph & Russo dress is proof.
Embed from Getty Images Wearing the British designer duo, Ralph & Russo
2016
Elie Saab makes a comeback on the red carpet in the form of this beige A-line dress that's doing wonders in accentuating her shapely waist. Oxblood lips and nails and the classic French-girl hair is the recipe for elevating the overall look!
Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab couture
2017
2017
'Nuff words have been spent in appreciating this dress. Dubbed 'The Cinderella Dress' by international media, this ballroom-worthy dress by designer Michael Cinco was one of the highlights of Cannes 2017.
Embed from Getty Images In a Michael Cinco gown
2018
Just when you thought that there's nothing to upend Aishwarya's 'Cinderella' Michael Cinco dress, the actor makes an appearance in yet another one of the Filipino designer's creations. This time a bodycon gown with paisley-like motifs and a breathtaking train.
Embed from Getty Images In a Michael Cinco bodycon dress
2019
The actor seems to be embracing the 2019's need for bling. The python-skin-detailed, one-shoulder holographic dress by couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji is one of the most daring looks, both for the actor and on the Cannes red carpet in general. Although the jury is still out on this look, it's nice to see Aishwarya move away from safe choices (think: Elie Saab).
Embed from Getty Images In Jean-Louis Sabaji Couture
This only makes us wonder what 2020 has in store. Which one of these was your favourite look? Let us know in the comments!
