Every May, as the spring sun brings warm days, bustling streets, and a packed social calendar, the French Riviera comes alive. The Festival de Cannes, also known as the Cannes Film Festival, is a vibrant mix of glamour and chaos—part film festival, part fashion marathon, and part circus. Along the famous Croisette, black SUVs ferry celebrities from hotel lobbies, publicists rush about, and models somehow thrive on three hours of sleep and espresso. But beneath the sparkle of red carpets and flashy parties lies a world of strict routines, beauty rituals, power dinners, and whirlwind changes.
Alia Bhatt's Breakout Debut
This year, Indian actor Alia Bhatt has been everywhere. As L'Oréal Paris's global ambassador, she turned heads with modern couture that nods to her roots. Her icy blue Daniel Frankel gown became a social media phenomenon, while her ivory corset saree—a fusion of Indian draping and Western structure—set the internet ablaze. Some called it "Maharani-core," others hailed it as Gangubai with a fashionable twist. From her black "quiet luxury" airport outfit to a dreamy daytime dress in pastel shades, Bhatt's wardrobe projected a carefully curated global image: rooted, polished, understated, yet globally acclaimed.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Absence
Meanwhile, Cannes felt incomplete for many Indian fans as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was suddenly nowhere to be seen. An institution at the festival for over twenty years, her dramatic style made her an icon. This year, she vanished from L'Oréal's big promo campaigns, sparking online backlash. The brand later called her a "living legend," but no official word confirmed if she is skipping Cannes entirely. Her absence has become one of the biggest talking points of the festival.
What Celebrities Eat at Cannes
Stars barely eat like normal people during Cannes. Nutritionists and trainers prepare them weeks in advance. The advice is always the same: high protein, lots of water, light Mediterranean food, and nothing too heavy before fitting into a gown. Think berries, salads, sushi, green juice—tiny plates and portions at all hours. Some celebrities avoid alcohol, while others cling to coffee. But at night, Cannes lets loose. Yacht parties feature champagne towers and caviar, with no one counting how many hours the party lasts.
Fashion Takes Center Stage
At this point, almost nobody would blink if Cannes were renamed the Cannes Fashion Festival. More than the films, it's the red carpet fashion that creates buzz. This year, the red carpet has been pure old-Hollywood: metallic fabrics, elegant lines, and "quiet luxury." Indian stars steal the show with a mix of high-end couture and unmistakable cultural flourishes.
Behind the Scenes: A Week of Rigorous Prep
All of this unfolds over a jammed week. Mornings start with interviews, afternoons are for gown fittings and rehearsals, evenings belong to premieres, and celebrities who prepped for weeks spend less than five minutes on the carpet. After midnight, things move to yachts and hidden terraces, where real deals, secret chats, and new collaborations happen with a view of the Mediterranean. Being on your toes for so many things isn't a joke—Cannes is exhausting and glamorous at the same time. While we are blown away by the polished festival, it's important to recognize the grueling prep behind it.
