The yellow saree that made Aishwarya Rai's Cannes debut unforgettable

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's debut appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 continues to be celebrated as one of the event's most iconic fashion moments.

The actor wore a canary yellow saree designed by Neeta Lulla to the premiere of Devdas, attending the festival alongside co-star Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The outfit was crafted from Banarasi net fabric inspired by the Dhakai net featured in the costumes of Devdas. It was embellished with antique gold zardozi embroidery along the borders and paired with a gold choker and matching earrings.

In a recent Instagram video, Neeta Lulla recalled that Bhansali wanted Aishwarya's look to reflect the character Paro while preserving a distinctly Indian aesthetic instead of adopting a Western style.

Lulla said she selected canary yellow for the saree and incorporated delicate golden bootis throughout the fabric to create an elegant yet visually rich design.

She added that the final look exceeded her expectations, with the colour and embroidery making a striking impact despite the saree's understated styling.

More than two decades later, the ensemble continues to inspire fashion enthusiasts. Actor Alia Bhatt recently described Aishwarya's Cannes debut as one of the most memorable and iconic red carpet appearances she has witnessed.

Aishwarya Rai's 2002 Cannes appearance remains widely recognised as a landmark moment that showcased Indian fashion on one of the world's most prestigious cinematic platforms.