Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan delivered a captivating appearance and an inspiring message at the ongoing Red Sea International Film Festival. The former Miss World, who looked stunning in a black gown, engaged in a profound conversation about her cinematic journey and her empowering perspective on womanhood.
From Student of Life to Global Star
During a session at the festival on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Aishwarya reflected on her unique path to fame. She revealed that her entry into the Miss World 1994 pageant was somewhat accidental. "I incidentally joined the pageant," she stated, clarifying that it was an invitation from media professionals to represent India that motivated her, seeing it as a responsibility beyond just a beauty contest.
She traced her career from being a student of science and architecture to her acclaimed acting debut in Mani Ratnam's 1997 Tamil film Iruvar. Aishwarya emphasized that her core approach has remained that of a perpetual learner. "My approach towards life has been like a student. Even my career till date is very student-like," she shared, highlighting her continuous quest for knowledge.
A Powerful Ode to Women's Strength
The heart of her talk was a resounding tribute to the power of women. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan passionately described women as "inherently strong" by birth. "All women are immensely strong, you are shakti, devi, you are the embodiment of strength, beauty, femininity," she expressed.
She urged women to embrace every facet of their identity and advocated for constant celebration. "Enjoy every aspect of being who you are and we need to be celebrated every second of our existence," she said. Aishwarya elaborated on how women skillfully manage multiple roles, from daughters and sisters to mothers and wives, constantly figuring out how to handle life's challenges with grace and resilience.
A Star-Studded Festival Edition
The fifth edition of the Red Sea Film Festival, which began on December 13, has become a major global cinematic gathering. The event saw appearances from several international luminaries, including Oscar nominee Kirsten Dunst, Nina Dobrev of The Vampire Diaries fame, and Queen Latifah. Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon was also expected to grace the festival later.
This year's prestigious International Spectacular slate features high-profile projects like Angelina Jolie's Couture, Jude Law's The Wizard of the Kremlin, and Rupert Wyatt's Desert Warrior, starring Ben Kingsley and Anthony Mackie.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's participation not only added glamour but also substantial depth to the festival discourse, reinforcing her status as a global star with a powerful and thoughtful voice.
