Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s absence from beauty giant L’Oréal Paris’s latest Cannes Film Festival 2026 campaign has sparked widespread reactions from fans across social media platforms.
The controversy began after L’Oréal Paris shared a promotional video on Instagram on May 10, showcasing giant campaign visuals displayed across a prominent hotel building in Cannes ahead of the festival. The campaign prominently featured celebrities including Alia Bhatt, Viola Davis, Eva Longoria and Helen Mirren.
However, fans quickly noticed the absence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan — one of the brand’s longest-associated global ambassadors and among the most recognised Indian faces at the Cannes Film Festival.
The comment sections across Instagram and X soon filled with reactions from fans asking, “Where is Aishwarya?” while many criticised the brand for not including her in the campaign despite her iconic association with Cannes over the last two decades.
Aishwarya joined L’Oréal Paris as a global ambassador in 2003 and has since become one of the most celebrated Indian celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival. Over the years, her appearances on the Cannes red carpet have consistently generated global attention, making her presence almost synonymous with India’s representation at the prestigious event.
Despite the online backlash, reports indicate that all three Indian ambassadors of L’Oréal Paris — Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt and Aditi Rao Hydari — are expected to represent India at Cannes 2026.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt was prominently featured in the campaign and has returned to Cannes for the second consecutive year as a Global Ambassador for the beauty brand following her debut appearance at the 2025 edition of the festival.
Ahead of the event, Alia was spotted at Nice Airport wearing a structured all-black outfit from Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2026 collection, paired with Gucci accessories.
Speaking about her return to Cannes, Alia said she was excited to once again be part of the festival alongside a brand that champions women’s empowerment and celebrates female voices globally.
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 will also witness strong Indian representation beyond cinema and fashion. Acclaimed filmmaker Payal Kapadia has been named president of the jury for the 65th edition of Cannes Critics’ Week.
As discussions continue online, Aishwarya’s absence from the campaign visuals has once again highlighted her enduring legacy at Cannes and the emotional connection fans continue to associate with her global appearances.
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