At the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, Alia Bhatt was slated to make her red carpet debut, as a Global Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. She was supposed to be walking the carpet with the biggest international stars like Eva Longoria, Viola Davis, Jane Fonda, Aja Naomi King, Andie MacDowell, Simone Ashley, Elle Fanning, Bebe Vio, and more. But now reports suggest that Alia Bhatt might be skipping her Cannes debut. Let’s find out more.
Alia Bhatt was supposed to make her debut at Cannes 2025 on May 13, on the first day of the festival. But as she skipped the event, her fans were curious to find out what went down. The reason is the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
As per a report by India Today, “Alia took this decision considering the tension at the borders. The ‘Raazi’ actor did not feel it was right to go to Cannes at such a crucial time. However, that’s not to say that she won’t. Alia’s team is closely following the situation at the border and if things remain calm, she might look at another date to attend. However, right now she will skip her attendance.”
Even though the actress skipped the first day of the event, her team made it clear that she is not stepping away from the whole festival.
Alia Bhatt’s message for Indian soldiers
As the situation between India and Pakistan remains tense, Alia Bhatt shared a heartfelt message for Indian soldiers on Mother’s Day.
It read, “The last few nights have felt… different. There’s a certain stillness in the air when a nation holds its breath. And over the past few days we’ve felt that stillness.”
“That quiet anxiety. That pulse of tension that hums beneath every conversation, behind every news notification, around every dinner table. We have felt the weight of knowing that somewhere, out there in the mountains, our soldiers are awake, alert, and in danger,” it continued.
“While most of us are tucked into our homes, there are men and women standing in the dark, guarding our sleep with theirs. With their lives. And that reality… it does something to you. Because you realise this isn’t just bravery. It’s sacrifice. And behind every uniform is a mother who hasn’t slept either. A mother who knows her child is facing a night not of lullabies, but of uncertainty. Of tension. Of silence that can shatter in an instant,” she added.
“On Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day. And while flowers were being handed out and hugs were exchanged, I couldn’t help but think of the mothers who raised heroes and carry that quiet pride with just a little more steel in their spine.”
“We mourn the lives that have been lost, soldiers who will never come home, whose names are now etched in the soul of this country. May their families find strength in the nation’s gratitude. So tonight, and every night forward, we hope for less silence born of tension, and more silence born of peace. And send love to every parent out there holding prayers, holding back tears. Because your strength moves this nation more than you’ll ever know. We stand together. For our protectors. For India. Jai Hind,” the note concluded, with Alia paying her respects to the armed forces.
Meanwhile, Cannes 2025 is going to be held from May 13 to May 24.