Global icon and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recently offered a heartwarming glimpse into her life as a mother, revealing how her daughter Aaradhya's now-iconic appearances on international red carpets, including the Cannes Film Festival, began not as a planned debut but as a simple game of dress-up. The actor shared these personal anecdotes during an on-stage conversation at the prestigious Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which she is currently attending.
The Fairy Tale Origin of a Viral Moment
Aishwarya explained that when Aaradhya was much younger, she found it difficult to explain why she was getting dressed in elaborate gowns for events. To make the process relatable and fun for her little girl, she turned it into a fairy tale. "It wasn't about, 'Now let's put Aaradhya in a gown because she's going to get photographed'. No. For me, it's a little girl who's reading or viewing fairy tale stories," Aishwarya recounted. She framed the pre-event preparations as playing dress-up, an activity any child would enjoy.
She went the extra mile, having small dresses made for Aaradhya in India and packing them along with her own couture. "I'd be getting ready for the red carpet but there'd be this other number happening which is so real," she said, describing how Aaradhya would twirl and say, "Mama, look at this," amidst the professional chaos of her glam squad.
The viral Cannes moment, which captivated fans worldwide, happened completely organically. "It was just one of those incidental days that she walked out with me because she was still holding my hand and I wouldn't let go obviously because she was enjoying it," Aishwarya revealed. Before she knew it, they were on the carpet, with Aaradhya twirling in her dress, creating a genuine mother-daughter moment that was captured by photographers and spread across the globe.
A Career Guided by Instinct, Not Insecurity
Shifting from personal to professional life, Aishwarya spoke candidly about the choices that have defined her illustrious career in cinema. She firmly stated that insecurity has never been a driving force for her. "I don't get insecure. I think that's a very real aspect of who I am. Insecurities have never been a driving force," she asserted, highlighting how she has avoided letting external pressures dictate her decisions.
She recalled early advice from legendary director Mani Ratnam about her film Iruvar. "He told me 'Iruvar is not a launch film, it's a movie, it's a story, it's not about launching Aishwarya' and I was like, 'That's a movie I want to do'," she said, emphasizing her focus on substance over spectacle from the very beginning.
This philosophy continued even after the monumental success of Devdas. When everyone was questioning what bigger project she would choose next, Aishwarya surprised many by opting for Rituparno Ghosh's intimate and powerful drama, Chokher Bali. "I was like what a beautiful story, that's a movie I want to do," she said, reaffirming her commitment to the art of storytelling.
A Red Carpet Chat About the Maha Kumbh
The festival's opening night red carpet on December 4 also facilitated a charming interaction between Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hollywood star Dakota Johnson. The two actors posed together for photographers and engaged in a brief conversation. Dakota Johnson, who had visited India earlier in the year with her then-boyfriend Chris Martin, mentioned their trip to the Maha Kumbh Mela.
To this, Aishwarya reacted with surprised delight, exclaiming, "You did that? Wow!" This exchange highlighted the cultural bridge that such international festivals create. Notably, Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin ended their long-term relationship months after their India visit.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's presence and revelations at the Red Sea International Film Festival not only showcased her enduring global appeal but also painted a picture of an artist and mother who prioritizes authenticity, both at home with her daughter and in her carefully curated film career.
