Cannes has always been a stage for Indian actors to show off grand gowns and jewellery. In this year's 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is taking place from 12 to 23 May 2026, Alia Bhatt graced the red carpet with beautiful dresses and unconventional jewellery.
Here’s what Amorella saw, what the cameras sometimes missed, and how each piece changed the narrative of her appearance.
How Alia Bhatt Made Traditional Indian Jewellery the Centerpiece at Cannes
You’d think Cannes is where Indian stars try their hardest to look as “global” as possible—stick to international designers, go subtle on accessories, play it safe. Alia Bhatt did the opposite. She didn’t just wear jewellery; she challenged the playbook by making traditional Indian pieces the real headliners.
Here’s what set her approach apart in 2026:
- Reintroduction of the Nath: Not just a quiet nod, but a bold, stylized nath (nose ring) front and center on Day 2—a decision usually avoided at Western-centric red carpets.
- Lace Choker: For her Custom Danielle Frankel gown, she chose an princess-coded moment with an aesthetic lace choker with attched pendant by Malabar Gold and Diamonds and matching drop earrings—nothing minimal, all statement.
- Cocktail Contrast: When she wore a coral-pink Tamara Ralph, she didn’t switch to understated jewellery. Instead, she picked a spectacular custom Amrapali Jewels necklace featuring 168.27 carats of rare pink coral centred around a 5.53-carat Golconda diamond, paired with square-cut Chopard earrings and an Asscher-cut diamond ring.
- Bow Necklace and Art Deco: For the L’Oréal Paris dinner at Cannes, Alia wore a Tarun Tahiliani's custom ensemble made with chintz-inspired florals, complemented with a statement Sunita Shekhawat Bow Necklace set crafted with 26.43 carats of diamonds and rose-cut diamonds from the Art Deco collection.
The risk was clear. Most previous Indian entries have gone maximal on the dress, minimal on jewellery. Alia’s team inverted that equation, and the clicks prove it worked.
The plan wasn’t about nostalgia, but about showing that Indian technique and ornamentation belong at the absolute center of the world’s style conversation. And it landed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was unique about Alia Bhatt's jewellery choices at Cannes 2026?
A: Alia Bhatt made traditional Indian jewellery the centerpiece of her looks, flipping the script on the usual approach by showcasing bold pieces like the nath and layered kundan sets.
Q: How did Alia Bhatt incorporate the nath into her Cannes look?
A: Alia wore a stylized nath as a prominent feature of her Atelier Zuhra outfit, challenging norms by bringing a traditionally bridal accessory to a global film event.
Q: What types of jewellery did Alia Bhatt wear with her Tarun Tahiliani saree?
A: For her Tarun Tahiliani saree, Alia chose a bold kundan choker and matching jhumkas, emphasizing a classic Indian aesthetic.
Q: How did Alia Bhatt's jewellery choices impact social media coverage?
A: Alia's nath quickly became a trending topic on social media, generating more posts than her dress and prompting discussions about its cultural significance.
Q: How did Alia Bhatt's jewellery choices differ from previous years at Cannes?
A: Unlike previous years where jewellery was often minimal, Alia's 2026 looks featured bold Indian pieces as focal points, shifting the perception of jewellery on the red carpet.
Q: What does Alia Bhatt's approach to jewellery at Cannes mean for future styling?
A: Alia's successful integration of traditional jewellery into high fashion suggests a potential shift in red carpet styling, encouraging stylists to embrace bold, heritage pieces rather than opting for minimalism.
