This year, actor and L’Oréal Paris ambassador Aditi Rao Hydari, returned to the Cannes Film Festival for the fifth time since her debut in 2022—a milestone she described as “a pinch-me kind of a situation.”
Hydari arrived on the French Riviera ahead of a packed Cannes schedule—her looks styled in Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery—spanning red-carpet appearances, fittings, photoshoots and interviews, with moments of downtime in between. During her stay, she checked into Hôtel Martinez, a longtime favourite among Indian attendees, including Alia Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Deepika Padukone.
Ahead of her red-carpet appearance, Hydari shot a Get Ready With Me with THR India, reflecting on her look, timeless jewellery and personal style. For the evening, she wore Indriya’s Nivaah Polki Necklet, where open-set Polki diamonds shimmer within sculptural contours, finished in a rich antique tone—paired with a custom one-shoulder lime-green gown from Tony Ward Couture Spring/Summer 2025 and Alexandre Birman heels.
Later in the week, Hydari joined THR India for a cover interview and photoshoot across Cannes, wearing Indriya’s dazzling studded necklace adorned with diamonds and emeralds, layered with a solitaire diamond necklace. Playing with silhouettes and the radiant interplay of diamonds and emeralds, she pairs it with an all-black off-the-shoulder gown by Rami Kadi Maison de Couture, channeling modern elegance with a sense of exquisite artistry.
From sarees to sculptural gowns, Hydari’s Cannes wardrobe has remained rooted in clean lines and understated elegance—proving, once again, the power of simplicity and quiet luxury.
Excerpts from a fun chat…
THR INDIA: What kind of magic does jewellery hold?
Aditi Rao Hydari: I think jewellery is special because it touches you. It touches you all the time. And I think it becomes an heirloom. It carries memories and makes memories. I think that's what makes it timeless.
I really believe that jewellery is sacred. It holds a special place in my heart. Not just because it's beautiful, but because it carries history with it.
THR INDIA: L'Oréal has the Lights on Women's Work program, which is now in its sixth year. What do you think that does to the needle?
Aditi Rao Hydari: I think it's something that's hugely important. It's something that I wish wasn't even a conversation and was more effortless. But the conversation is needed and the spotlight on women is needed. I do wait for a day when it won't be because that would mean that there would be a greater balance.
THR INDIA: Tell me about a moment that you'll always hold dear to you with a piece of Indriya jewellery.
Aditi Rao Hydari: This has been special. To walk the red carpet as a L'Oréal Paris girl in Cannes and wearing Indriya jewellery – that's absolutely spectacular. I don't know how the heavens have made this happen. I feel very special to be representing two brands on the red carpet at Cannes.
THR INDIA: Describe tonight's look in three words.
Aditi Rao Hydari: I think it's summer. There's something effortless about it, but there's also something timeless.
THR INDIA: What is the pressure put on you as an actor to succeed in these at Cannes? Do you have to work harder to make an impact on that red carpet because so many people are walking?
Aditi Rao Hydari: I keep telling myself that I am because of cinema, and what drives me is cinema. That’s my priority. If I've conducted myself with grace, and I don't mean physical grace, I mean grace of the soul and the heart. If the people around me, who are making things happen for me, are happy, I must be happy.
It is very important for me to feel good. Even when you're talking about beauty. Beauty is genuinely more than what you look. Since I do represent a beauty brand, I keep telling myself that that's what I do and that’s what I'm doing for the brand. And I must do it all in my own unique way, but also, be efficient, deliver, and be kindhearted when I'm doing it because there's so many people who are working behind the camera to make it happen for me.
THR INDIA: When you're swiping through Instagram and seeing what the dozens of other people are wearing, does that put pressure or are you now a seasoned actor at Cannes?
Aditi Rao Hydari: I don't want that pressure. And I don't like comparison. I only want to do the things that make me happy, like being in front of a camera, wearing the clothes that make me happy. I've chosen that this is how it's going to be. And when I need to deliver, I do it. There are so many people to help me. I'd rather concentrate on them.
THR INDIA: What makes you sparkle like no other?
Aditi Rao Hydari: My self worth.
THR INDIA: The first year you were here, you talked about how you want the North versus South debate to go away. As somebody who is uniquely placed in all regions, do you think we’ve made headway with that?
Aditi Rao Hydari: I come from a mixed background. I've never felt like this is my language or these are my people, and I've never looked at it as a Hindi film or a Telugu film or a Tamil film. I've just looked at it as a story and wonderful actors.
THR INDIA: Can you leave us with a message to your younger self? What would you tell her when you're standing in the balcony of the Martinez, all set to walk the Cannes red carpet.
Aditi Rao Hydari: To keep dreaming, believing, and to always be her younger self. To be that little five-year-old and make your dreams come true. Little children have this kind of fearlessness. They believe in magic, and I want to always believe in magic.