Alia Bhatt was all set to make her big red carpet debut at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Fans
couldn’t wait to see her step onto the global stage in full glam. But just days before the event,
she made the unexpected decision to cancel her trip. The reason? Something much bigger than
fashion.
Reports say Alia has chosen to stay back in India due to the rising tensions between India and
Pakistan. She was scheduled to fly to France over the weekend as a beauty brand ambassador,
but with the current situation unfolding along the western border, she felt it was not the right time
to attend an international event.
People close to her say this was a deeply personal choice. With the Indian Army engaged in
sensitive operations, Alia felt her place was at home, standing in quiet solidarity during a tense
national moment. She reportedly believes that celebrating on a global red carpet wouldn’t feel
right while so many families are glued to the news, hoping for peace and safety.
On May 13, Alia shared a heartfelt message on social media, talking about the emotional weight
of the last few days. She wrote about sleepless nights, the stillness in the air, and the quiet
anxiety many Indians are feeling. “There’s a certain stillness in the air when a nation holds its
breath,” she wrote, adding that she’s been thinking about the soldiers awake in the mountains,
facing real danger every moment.
While Alia won’t be at the Cannes opening as planned, there’s still a chance she may attend
later—if the situation improves. For now, though, she’s pressing pause on the glamour and
choosing presence over publicity. And honestly, that says a lot more than any red carpet ever
could.
-Sneha Kundu
