At the Red Sea Film Festival on Thursday, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan commanded attention with her stunning black gown and her signature grace as she greeted fans. 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 putting Aaradhya in a gown just because she was going to be photographed.” No. For me, it’s a little girl—a little girl who’s reading or viewing fairytale stories, right? So it was fun for me to be dressed 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 a fairy tale. We’re playing dress-up.’ So I’d also make a dress at home in India and pack it. 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 another number happening, which is so real. So while the team was trying to do their job professionally, there was Aaradhya, like, “Mama, look at this,” and there was 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 when she walked out with me while still holding my hand, which I wouldn’t let go of 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.“
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‘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, and 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 them. She emphasised the importance of embracing life’s challenges and handling them effectively. That’s who we are in every role of life as daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives.”
