Ananya Lohia , France - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who marked her 24th appearance at the Cannes Film Festival this year, recently shared heartfelt advice for aspiring actors, encouraging them to remain authentic in an industry, she believes is increasingly “manufactured.” Speaking to Brut India during her Cannes visit, the actor reflected on creativity, individuality and the importance of staying true to oneself.

The Guru actor said every artiste continues to evolve through life experiences and creative exploration. Expressing gratitude for the love and admiration she has received over the years, Aishwarya emphasised that every individual’s artistic journey is unique. She advised newcomers not to follow trends blindly but instead discover their own passion and make choices that genuinely reflect who they are. Aishwarya also spoke about the pressure of today’s world, where she feels much of what people see is carefully manufactured. She encouraged young actors to avoid getting influenced by outside noise and instead focus on living life fully to enrich their art. According to her, true creativity comes from experiencing life honestly and bringing those experiences into performances. She urged aspiring artistes to be their “best friend” and remain “brutally honest” with themselves while continuing to learn as “students of life.”

The actor’s comments come amid renewed attention around her long-standing association with L'Oréal Paris at Cannes. Ahead of the festival, fans had questioned the brand after promotional posters in Cannes featured celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Viola Davis, Eva Longoria and Helen Mirren, but not Aishwarya, despite her association with the brand since 2003. The company later reassured fans by stating that Aishwarya “never misses” Cannes, and the actor eventually made a much-awaited appearance on the red carpet.

This year’s Cannes appearance was also special as Aishwarya attended alongside her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, who made her Cannes red carpet debut, adding another memorable chapter to the Bachchan family’s long association with the prestigious festival.