The buzz around the Cannes Film Festival 2026 has already started getting louder, but this time the conversation online is not only about fashion or films. A big section of fans are currently upset with L’Oréal Paris after the beauty giant’s latest Cannes promotional campaign appeared to sideline Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has practically become one of the most recognisable Indian faces associated with the festival over the last two decades.
As Cannes officially begins this week on the French Riviera, fans were eagerly waiting to see Aishwarya’s grand return on the red carpet once again. The actor has represented L’Oréal Paris globally since 2003 and over the years became almost inseparable from the brand’s Cannes identity in India. From her iconic purple lipstick moment to dramatic gowns and saree appearances, Aishwarya’s Cannes outings have remained headline material for years. That is exactly why many social media users were surprised after the brand’s latest promotional video highlighted newer ambassador Alia Bhatt while seemingly leaving out Aishwarya completely.
The controversy began after L’Oréal Paris shared a video from the famous Hotel Martinez in Cannes, where giant posters of their global ambassadors were displayed ahead of the festival. International stars like Viola Davis, Eva Longoria and Helen Mirren were featured prominently. From the Indian film industry side, however, the campaign heavily focused on Alia Bhatt instead of Aishwarya, which instantly triggered backlash online.
Many fans argued that while Alia is undoubtedly one of Bollywood’s biggest current stars, Aishwarya’s contribution to making Cannes mainstream in India cannot be ignored. Several comments under the brand’s post questioned why the actor was missing despite being associated with the company for more than 20 years. Some users even claimed that Aishwarya helped build L’Oréal’s visibility in Indian households long before global beauty campaigns became common in Bollywood.
The reactions online quickly turned emotional. One fan wrote that no matter how many new ambassadors the company signs, Aishwarya still carries a level of elegance and star power that remains unmatched. Others accused the brand of disrespecting one of its longest-standing ambassadors. A few comments also pointed out how Aishwarya’s Cannes appearances became cultural moments in India during the early 2000s, at a time when global red carpet representation for Bollywood actors was still relatively rare.
Interestingly, this online debate also reflects the current generational shift happening in Bollywood branding. Over the last few years, luxury and beauty companies have increasingly focused on younger stars with stronger Gen-Z reach and social media engagement. Alia Bhatt, who became a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris in 2024, fits perfectly into that modern marketing strategy. At the same time though, Aishwarya still commands immense recognition internationally, especially when it comes to fashion and global film events like Cannes.
Despite the controversy, both actresses are still expected to attend the Cannes Film Festival this year. Alia has already arrived in the city and was recently photographed in a sharply tailored outfit paired with Gucci accessories, instantly grabbing fashion watchers’ attention. Meanwhile, fans are now waiting to see what Aishwarya chooses for her red carpet comeback because her Cannes appearances usually become one of the biggest talking points from India every single year.
Apart from Aishwarya and Alia, several other Indian celebrities are also expected at Cannes 2026 including Aditi Rao Hydari, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Tara Sutaria, Mouni Roy, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ammy Virk and Karan Johar. Indian representation at Cannes has grown massively over the last few years, especially with streaming platforms and global collaborations pushing Bollywood further into the international spotlight.
On the work front, Aishwarya was last seen in Ponniyin Selvan: II, after which she has kept a relatively low profile professionally. Alia, meanwhile, has an extremely packed lineup ahead. She will next be seen in Love & War alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. She is also gearing up for the release of YRF’s spy thriller Alpha, which is already generating strong curiosity among Bollywood fans.
For now though, the biggest question floating online remains simple — when Aishwarya finally walks the Cannes red carpet this year, will L’Oréal’s campaign controversy fade away, or will the internet continue comparing Bollywood’s old guard with its new global faces?
