India’s iconic beauty, Aishwarya Rai, has had a long-standing association with the Cannes Film Festival, making appearances almost every year since the mid-90s. Over these 30 years, Aishwarya has delivered numerous stunning looks at the prestigious event. This year, the striking brunette aimed to impress once again, but fans barely recognized her. Aishwarya was one of the first Indian actresses to achieve success in Hollywood. Although her American films didn’t become blockbusters, she was frequently featured in fashion magazines and advertising campaigns. At a time when Bollywood actresses weren’t taken seriously in the West, her accomplishments were significant.

Recently, Rai has stepped back from acting, spending more time with her family. In 2011, she and her husband, actor Abhishek Bachchan, welcomed their daughter. As a result, Rai has made fewer public appearances, with fans not having seen her for almost a year. She made an exception for this year’s Cannes Film Festival, gracing the French Riviera with her presence.

Aishwarya attended the festival in a vibrant dress with puffed sleeves and a dramatic train adorned with golden flowers. While the eye-catching outfit seemed designed to divert attention from her fuller figure, the elaborate decor ended up highlighting her weight gain.

Fans initially struggled to recognize the actress, who has noticeably gained weight and shown signs of aging. Given her extended absence from the public eye, these changes were a shock to many. Once hailed as the festival’s most beautiful attendee, Rai’s transformation was a poignant reminder of the passage of time.