Alia Bhatt channels 'Bridgerton' glamour in regency-inspired saree at Cannes 2026
Cannes, May 14
Alia Bhatt continued her strong fashion run at the 79th Festival de Cannes, unveiling a regal custom couture look by Tarun Tahiliani during her third day at the film festival.
The actor's latest social media post quickly drew widespread attention online, with fans and industry figures praising the ensemble's blend of Victorian romance and Indian craftsmanship.
Leaning into the mood of period drama phenomenon 'Bridgerton', Bhatt captioned her Instagram post, "Dearest gentle reader.. it's time to say," adopting the signature tone associated with the show's "Lady Whistledown" narrator.
Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the look fused "Regency Core" influences with heritage Indian draping.
The custom ensemble featured a corset-inspired silhouette, sculpted draping, woven panels, subtle embroidery and a sweeping train.
Inspired by archival chintz florals and Victorian dressing, the outfit was described by the atelier as "corseted chinoiserie."
According to the official outfit description shared by the label, "At Cannes, Alia Bhatt wears corseted chinoiserie - a custom Tarun Tahiliani couture saree that brings together the romance of Victorian dressing and the fluid elegance of Indian drape traditions."
The statement look was complemented with polki and gemstone jewellery by Sunita Shekhawat, layered brooches from Amrapali Jewels and A Jewels by Anmol, along with a statement ring from the latter.
Bhatt accessorised the outfit with a lace fan, while hairstylist Stephane Lancien created a sleek high bun and makeup artist Puneet B Saini opted for a luminous, classic beauty look.
In another note accompanying the styling reveal, Kapoor described the vision behind the ensemble as "sculpted structure with softness, movement, and timeless elegance."
She further added, "For a night built on spectacle, we chose something formed slowly, under pressure, over time."
The appearance sparked strong reactions across the entertainment and fashion industries. Netflix India commented, "This author is rarely speechless, but it appears we haven't just found the diamond of the season. We've found its queen".
Filmmaker Karan Johar called it her "Best look," while actor Jacqueliene Fernandez reacted with "Wows."
Kareena Kapoor Khan also praised the look, commenting, "Ufffffff."
Meanwhile, Alia's earlier Cannes appearance has also been receiving praise online. The actress walked the red carpet in a powder blue gown that added a soft and elegant touch to her look. She attended the premiere of 'A Woman's Life' at the festival.
This marks Alia Bhatt's second consecutive appearance at the Cannes Film Festival as a global ambassador for L'Oreal Paris.
Last year, she made her Cannes debut in a custom-made Schiaparelli gown, which received praise from fans and fashion watchers. The 79th Cannes Film Festival began on May 12 and will continue till May 23.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Not a fan honestly. The saree is beautiful but the corset thing looks uncomfortable, and why copy Western period drama? We have so many Indian historical styles to draw from. She's talented but this felt a bit over the top.
This is what we call global fusion done right! The polki jewellery with that lace fan is pure elegance. And Karan Johar saying it's her best look says everything. She's come so far from Student of the Year days 😍
Honestly, I don't get the hype. Another celebrity in an expensive saree at Cannes. What about the films she's supposed to be promoting? Fashion is fine but this feels like a PR exercise. Still, it's nice to see Indian designers getting global attention.
The way she carried that saree with a train ... wow! That's not easy. And the Bridgerton caption was perfect. She's truly the 'diamond of the season' as Netflix said. So proud of how Indian actors are slaying at international events! 🌟
Classy and bold at the same time. The fusion of Regency and Indian draping is actually very clever because both styles emphasise elegance and structure. She looked like a queen. Kareena's 'Ufffffff' comment says it all. 👌
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