Alia Bhatt once again made a bold fashion statement on the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, but this time it wasn’t just the sparkle that had people talking. For her final appearance at the global film and fashion spectacle, the Bollywood star stepped out in what many fashion pages have dubbed Gucci’s “first saree”—an ensemble embellished with Swarovski crystals. However, the internet isn’t entirely convinced.
Alia’s outfit, described by Gucci as “a custom gown with embroidered crystals in a GG Monogram pattern,” instantly ignited debate across fashion circles. It featured a nude-toned, shimmering bralette with a plunging neckline, a high-waisted fishtail-style skirt, and a crystal-draped dupatta forming a dramatic train. While the silhouette drew attention for its glamour, it drew even more reactions for being mistakenly identified as a saree.
Popular fashion watchdog Diet Sabya was among the first to share the ensemble, hailing it as a saree-inspired creation by the Italian fashion house. But social media users quickly chimed in with skepticism and sarcasm. “In what universe is this a saree?” one Instagram user commented. Another said bluntly, “It’s choli lehengaaa. Someone, please explain to Gucci.” One even joked, “Is the sari in the room with us?”
While Gucci did not label the outfit a saree, the chatter around its design quickly became viral. Some noted the look resembled a lehenga with a choli and a dupatta, with comments such as “Let’s call it a lehenga... saree is sareeee,” and “It’s a fishtail lehenga with a choli.” Others were confused about whether Gucci made the claim or if fashion observers had simply stretched the interpretation.
Despite the debate, Alia Bhatt carried the look with poise and elegance. Styled with soft blowout waves and center-parted hair, her glam featured flushed cheeks, glossy pink lips, winged eyeliner, feathered brows, and a radiant highlighter. She accessorized with minimal yet elegant diamond jewelry, including earrings, a choker, and a cocktail ring.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 24: Alia Bhatt attends the closing ceremony red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time Alia has captured attention at Cannes. Earlier in the festival, she wore a custom Schiaparelli gown and a breezy three-piece Gucci outfit that perfectly complemented the French Riviera vibe. Her choice to close out the event in a sparkling, Indian-inspired silhouette was both a fashion-forward and cultural move, even if it left fans and critics debating definitions.
Whether saree or lehenga, Alia Bhatt undeniably created a red carpet moment that will be remembered. But her Cannes 2025 look has also sparked a larger conversation on cultural representation in global fashion—especially when Western luxury brands attempt to reinterpret South Asian silhouettes.
Katrina Kaif reacts to postpartum beauty comments, reveals her 'skin became sensitive' and 'feeling best matters more'
Katrina Kaif attends the green carpet at the NEXA IIFA Awards at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre on March 09, 2025 in Jaipur, India.
Katrina Kaif has spent much of her career being associated with beauty — from modeling and Bollywood films to red-carpet appearances and her makeup business. But motherhood has changed the way the actor looks at her appearance.
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kaif spoke about beauty standards, self-care and the changes she experienced after giving birth. Her comments come as paparazzi photographs and videos of the actor have drawn harsh reactions online, with some social media users comparing her postpartum appearance with how she looked earlier in her career.
Rather than focusing on returning to her old appearance, Kaif said her priorities have changed. For her, looking her best now starts with feeling her best.
Katrina Kaif reacts to changing beauty standards
Kaif recalled the pressure surrounding beauty when she began her modeling and acting career. She said there were many stereotypes about what women were expected to look like.
Today, she views beauty differently.
“Looking my best is really about feeling my best,” Kaif said, explaining that taking care of herself as a whole has become more important.
She linked that feeling to several aspects of her lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, managing inflammation, meditating and spending time away from her phone. She also mentioned getting natural light in the morning as part of her routine.
For Kaif, the connection between health and appearance is straightforward: when she feels healthy, she believes that confidence naturally shows on the outside.
Her comments come at a time when celebrity appearances continue to receive intense scrutiny online. Paparazzi posts featuring Kaif have attracted comments about her postpartum body and appearance, with some users comparing recent images with photographs from earlier stages of her career.
Her skin changed after giving birth
Kaif also opened up about a specific physical change she noticed after pregnancy.
According to the actor, her skin became significantly more sensitive after giving birth. That made it difficult for her to determine which products were actually working for her.
She is now focusing on what she describes as deep cellular hydration, strengthening her skin barrier and keeping her skin calm and resilient.
Dermatologist Dr. Shireen Furtado, senior consultant in medical and cosmetic dermatology at Aster CMI Hospital, explained that postpartum hormonal changes, stress, sleep disruption and dehydration can affect the skin in different ways.
Skin may become drier, more sensitive, oilier or more prone to pigmentation after childbirth. Because of those changes, she advised new mothers to focus on basic skin health instead of trying to immediately recreate their pre-pregnancy appearance.
Kaif’s postpartum approach is more about self-care
For Kaif, the shift appears to be bigger than skincare. Motherhood has changed the way she defines looking good.
Instead of chasing a particular appearance, she is emphasizing health, balance and understanding what her body and skin need at a particular stage.
Furtado similarly recommends keeping postpartum skincare simple, with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen as a starting point. She also cautions against unnecessary products, harsh scrubs, strong exfoliants and irritating fragrances when skin is sensitive.
Some ingredients, including retinoids, require particular caution during breastfeeding and should be discussed with a dermatologist before use.
Kaif's comments offer a different perspective on the pressure faced by women after childbirth, particularly public figures whose appearances are constantly photographed and discussed.
Her message is less about looking the way she did before motherhood and more about feeling comfortable in the person she is now. For an actor whose appearance has been part of public conversation throughout her career, that represents a noticeable shift in how she approaches beauty.