In a way, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has become India’s unofficial ambassador to the prestigious Festival de Cannes commonly known as Cannes Film Festival. Aish made her debut in Cannes in 2002 and will complete 15 years at Cannes this year. On the other hand, Sonam Kapoor has been attending the festival for the last six years but this will be the first time that Sonam will be screening her film “Neerja” in Marche du Film.
Here’s a look at Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor’s various looks at Cannes over the years-
1. 2002
For her debut Cannes appearance Aishwarya wore a golden Neeta Lulla sari with heavy gold jewellery.
2. 2003
In 2003, Aishwarya had the honour of becoming the first Indian actor to be a jury member at the Cannes but her choice of a neon green Neeta Lulla saree with her hair tied in a bun was a total fashion disaster.
Another badly chosen outfit of that year was a shimmering pink dress worn with diamonds and unkempt hair.
3. 2004
This revealing Neeta Lulla gown at the Cannes red carpet was criticized a lot for being too revealing.
4. 2005
Aish finally upped the glam game in 2005. She won hearts in her flirty, printed dress by Giorgio Armani.
She wore another winner in the form of a black Gucci gown with a plunging neck and sheer mid-section.
5. 2006
Aishwarya Rai got a big thumbs up for her midnight blue strapless Roberto Cavalli gown and a trend-setting snake choker.
6. 2007
A married Aishwarya walked the red carpet hand-in-hand with hubby Abhishek Bachchan this year. She was shining in a Giorgio Armani gown with an imposing diamond choker.
7. 2008
Aishwarya Rai attended the festival with her husband and in-laws. Showing off her petite figure in her golden gown, she looked like a true diva.
For the next day, she looked sensuous in her black gown.
Out of her all her looks, the fuschia pink Roberto Cavalli she wore went down as one of her best looks.
8. 2009
Tauted to be Aishwarya’s best ever red carpet appearance till date. On the first day, she opted for a floor-sweeping Roberto Cavalli strapless white gown.
She looked even more stunning in a grey Elie Saab one-shoulder gown and slicked-back hair.
9. 2010
Aish chose a black off-shoulder sheath dress, with a shoulder bateau neckline and short sleeves for promoting Raavan at Cannes.
Aishwarya chose her favorite designer Elie Saab for the read carpet. She was a vision in a violet mermaid gown with a train and sheer shoulders.
She also wore a strapless Armani Prive embellished black gown. She kept her hair severe, but added a slick of rose-red to her lips.
Same year, Aishwarya wore a gorgeous Sabyasachi sari to perfection.
10. 2011
Aishwarya Rai was a stunner in another Elie Saab one shoulder embroidered gown.
She looked fine in a structured two toned in a geometric Armani Prive dress with smokey eyes.
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor looked totally stunning in her first appearance at Cannes in a Jean Paul Gaultier gown.
For a private dinner on the Cavalli Yacht, she wore a shimmery Roberto Cavalli dress.
Sonam was next seen in a white gown by The Row with Lieber clutch and Ferragamo shoes for the photocall of the Chopard’s party.
Sonam Kapoor later impressed with a fun polka dotted Masaba Gupta saree to the IWC Dinner.
11. 2012
This was Ash’s very first red carpet outing after baby Aaradhya and she got brownie points for her choice of grey Elie Saab gown which clung to her plus size curves. This was the year when Ash was criticized for her drastic weight gain post pregnancy.
She was also seen in an Angelo Katsapis maxi dress.
She then wore a cream chikankari Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla sari with an embroidered jacket, which was a complete fashion disaster.
Sonam Kapoor-
In 2012, Sonam Kapoor sported a black polka dotted ruffled dress by Naeem Khan at the L’Oreal and Chopard rooftop party.
Sonam opted for a Gothic look in a heavy tulle gown by Alexander Mcqueen at the red carpet.
Finally, she wore a strapless red velvet Dolce and Gabbana gown.
12. 2013
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wowed the fashion police in her one-shoulder teal Gucci gown at the premiere of Behind the Candelabra.
Next day also she was a hit in her black and grey Elie Saab couture gown.
She looked ravishing in a Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla floor-length anarkali with colourful heavy embroidery.
Sonam Kapoor
For the red carpet, Sonam Kapoor decided to go traditional and opted for a lace sari by Anamika Khanna with an embroidered floor-length jacket. The pearl nathni stood out really well making this one of her best look in Cannes.
This floral strapless Dolce & Gabbana printed dress worn by Sonam this year was also a show stealer.
Next she surprised us with her black and white net Shehla Khan lehenga worn with Chopard jewels for Trophee Chopard Party.
13. 2014
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aish stepped up her fashion choices with two gorgeous appearances, both in Roberto Cavalli. Her first look was in a glamorous strapless gold gown.
And the second in a dazzling embellished white one. Both accentuated her beautiful curves really well.
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor opted for a sparkly Elie Saab couture dress for the opening gala dinner at Cannes 2014.
Sonam turned a desi in a pale pink Anamika Khanna couture net sari dress. She left her hair open this time with no earrings.
She wore two more Elie Saab looks this year- a light blue Couture gown for the Chopard party and a red lack back gown for media rounds.
14. 2015
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aish swept us off our feet in a Ralph & Russo monochromatic gown featuring black and white ruffles.
She again made her swoon in an Oscar de la Renta gown.
Stunning as ever in a green couture gown.
Sonam Kapoor
For her Cannes appearance in 2015, Sonam chose an electric blue draped couture creation by Ralph and Russo.
After such a good entrance, Sonam received much criticism for following it up with a pale green feathered gown by Elie Saab.
Sonam made a great comeback with two Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla looks- a stunning ruffled tiered saree and the other was a statement making top and skirt combo.
15. 2016
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
This year was Aish’s 15th year at Cannes. Her first appearance was a golden Ali Younes Couture gown with smokey blue eyeshadow and bold lashes.
Representing the brand L’Oréal for the press interactions, Aishwarya flaunted a red ruffled gown from Naeem Khan.
For the Sarbjit press conference and screening, she wore a Rohit Bal ensemble in golden and brown.
Later, she left everybody stupefied in a strapless monochrome Ralph and Russo gown.
For the final day, Aish donned on a bardot Rami Kadi dress. What stood out were those luscious purple lips. Some loved it, some hated it!
Sonam Kapoor
For her first appearance this year, Sonam opted for a sari by designer Rimzim Dadu paired with fuchsia lips, neatly tied bun and a striking black collar necklace for press interactions.
She then turned on the heat on the red carpet in a stunning custom made haute couture gown from the house of Ralph & Russo.
Who do you think looked the best at the red carpet? Aishwarya or Sonam? Tell us below.
