Desk Correspondent , Mumbai - A controversy has erupted at the Cannes Film Festival after fans accused L'Oréal Paris of ‘ignoring’ its long-time global ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in its latest promotional campaign. The brand’s response has only intensified the backlash online.

The row began after L’Oréal Paris unveiled large banner posters of its ambassadors at Le Martinez Hotel during Cannes, notably excluding Aishwarya Rai Bachchan—one of its most iconic faces for over two decades. The posters featured several global stars, including Alia Bhatt, but Aishwarya’s absence did not go unnoticed. The brand shared visuals from the venue on Instagram, calling the hotel its official Cannes home. However, the post quickly drew criticism, with fans flooding the comments section questioning why Aishwarya—often dubbed the “face of Cannes” in India—was missing. Many users praised her legacy, with some even comparing her stature to newer ambassadors.

Amid the uproar, L’Oréal Paris responded to one comment, stating, “Year after year, Cannes after Cannes, she never misses.” But the clarification failed to calm fans, who continued to question why her poster was absent despite her long-standing association with the brand. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan first attended Cannes in 2002 alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the premiere of Devdas. She became a L’Oréal ambassador in 2003 and has since been a regular on the Cannes red carpet, cementing her status as one of the festival’s most recognised Indian faces.

While Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is expected to make her appearance at Cannes this year as well, the controversy has sparked a larger debate on brand loyalty and representation, with fans demanding greater recognition for one of L’Oréal’s most enduring global icons.