Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stole the spotlight at the Red Sea Film Festival on Thursday as she stepped out in a breathtaking black gown and greeted fans with her signature grace. The actor later participated in an engaging session where she opened up about motherhood, memories with her daughter Aaradhya, and the bond they’ve shared through their many Cannes journeys together.
‘Just mama and daughter having their real moment’
Aishwarya fondly recalled how Aaradhya has grown up visiting the Cannes Film Festival and how the atmosphere has always felt familiar to her. She explained that her daughter enjoys the vibe, reconnects with friends, and understands the rhythm of the festival thanks to her many years of accompanying her.Reflecting on the viral moments of Aaradhya walking the corridor with her, Aishwarya clarified that none of it was planned or for the cameras.She said, “It wasn’t about now let’s put Aaradhya in a gown because she’s going to get photographed. No. For me it’s a little girl, a little girl who’s reading or viewing fairy tale stories, right? So it was for me the fun of being dress up because why is mama dressing up in these gowns? She’s a kid. She’s suddenly seeing a mother dressed in a gown with hair done. So I was like we’re playing fairy tale. We’re playing dress up. So I too would take the trouble to get dress made at home in India itself and pack that all in.”Aishwarya shared how those behind-the-scenes moments were candid, unscripted, and full of joy, “If I choose to show those videos they’re completely entertaining… I’d be getting ready for the red carpet but there’d be this other number happening which is so real. So while the team was trying to professionally do their job, there is Aaradhya like mama look at this and there’s a twirl happening and all of that.”She recalled the day Aaradhya unintentionally became part of a viral moment, “It was just one of those incidental days that she walked out with me because she was still holding my hand and I wouldn’t let go obviously because she was enjoying it. You keep it real. We continued coming down and then I was like uh-oh now we’re already out here and there she is and she’s like mama and she’s twirling. I’m like okay and then all these moments go viral whereas actually it was just mama and daughter having their real moment.“
‘Women are inherently strong’
During the same session, Aishwarya also spoke powerfully about the strength of women, celebrating their resilience and presence in every role they play.She said, “Women by birth are strong. All women are immensely strong, you are shakti, devi, you are the embodiment of strength, beauty, femininity, enjoy every aspect of being who you are and we need to be celebrated every second of our existence.” Highlighting how women constantly adapt, navigate, and rise through challenges, she added, “Inherently women are strong and they are always striving, figuring out how to tie all that life throws at you. How to embrace it and deal with things. That’s who we are in every role of life as daughters, sisters, mother, wives.”
