Alia Bhatt gives saree a Cannes twist in new ivory-umbrella look. Watch

Actor Alia Bhatt, as part of her ambassador duties for a makeup brand, carried an ivory saree-inspired look to the ongoing 79th Cannes International Film Festival at the French Riviera. A video of the 33-year-old is now going viral on social media, showing the actor walking towards the venue draped in an ivory ensemble featuring a corset-like bodice. She was also seen carrying an umbrella.

Bhatt joined filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker at the Bharat Pavilion to unveil the official poster and creative concept for the 57th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The occasion also marked the launch of the India Film Guide, an initiative designed to position India as a preferred international filming hub and strengthen cross-border collaborations in cinema.

Alia Bhatt talks about diversity of Indian cinema

Addressing attendees at the pavilion, Bhatt spoke about the richness and range of Indian storytelling. She said, "IFFI has always been a platform that celebrates the diversity of our stories. Being part of this unveiling is an honour, as we invite the world to experience the magic of Indian filmmaking in Goa this November."

Gowariker, meanwhile, emphasised the festival's growing global relevance and its focus on meaningful cinematic conversations.

"The 57th edition promises to be a landmark year. We are looking at a selection that not only showcases technical excellence but also the profound human emotions that connect us all," he said.

Hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Bharat Pavilion remains one of India's key platforms for showcasing filmmakers, talent and industry initiatives at international festivals.

The 57th edition of IFFI will be held in Panaji, Goa, from November 20 to 28, 2026. The newly revealed festival artwork features a stylised peacock, continuing a visual motif long associated with IFFI's identity.

Alia Bhatt's first look from Cannes 2026

Alia Bhatt earlier walked the red carpet on Day 1 of Cannes, wearing a peach gown featuring a plunging neckline. She teamed it up with a rare coral neckpiece. She opted for a figure-hugging monotone gown from Tamara Ralph that came with a long, flowy dupatta.

In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India earlier at Cannes, the actor-producer highlighted Indian cinema's universal appeal and flagged its obsession with male protagonists. Referring to titles such as Barbie, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and more, she said the conversation in Indian cinema often revolves around catering to a largely male movie-going audience, even as women form a major part of audiences elsewhere.

Bhatt said, “It shouldn't matter whether a film stars a man or a woman. The story should matter." She said we are living in a very fascinating time and pointed to the way several films have done phenomenally well globally, with women driving them to massive success.

She said that in India, discussions about box office numbers often include the idea that around 75 per cent of movie-goers are male. According to her, this leads to a tendency to cater to the "mass" audience. She then asked what happens to women viewers if films are made only with men in mind.

Bhatt clarified that she was not arguing for men to be alienated. Instead, she asked why cinema should cater to only one gender. She said films should be "gender-agnostic," with storytelling at the centre, and added that she hopes to see more women-led films in theatres in the future.

The other Indian faces who are already at Cannes or are expected to be there soon include Aditi Rao Hydari, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Urvashi Rautela, Karan Johar, Ammy Virk, Tara Sutaria and Kalyani Priyadarshan.