Aishwarya Rai has been gracing the Cannes Film Festival since 2002 and has been a prominent presence in almost every edition of the festival since then.
However, her appearance in 2003 received severe criticism from the fashion police. In a recent interview, designer Neeta Lulla revealed the challenges faced during that particular year and how Aishwarya’s health played a role in the wardrobe mishap.
According to Neeta, Aishwarya was not in the best health during that time as she had suffered a foot fracture. Despite this, she had sent a staggering 47 outfits with the actress for various occasions at the festival.
From day wear to evening wear and red carpet ensembles, the designer had meticulously curated a diverse collection. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, some alterations had to be made on-site, including changes in jewelry collaborations.
The most infamous outfit that garnered criticism was a neon green saree, which became a topic of negative discussion among the fashion fraternity. Neeta expressed her disappointment at the time, not knowing the exact reasons behind the adjustments. She faced harsh comments from fellow designers and the media, questioning her skills as a designer.
Nevertheless, Aishwarya stood by Neeta throughout the ordeal and continued to wear her outfits, showing her unwavering trust and support. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Aishwarya’s endorsement of Neeta’s work spoke volumes and conveyed the truth behind the situation.
Even to this day, the precise details of what happened remain unknown, but Aishwarya’s loyalty to the designer shone through, silencing the unfounded criticisms.
