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Alia Bhatt Chats Candidly With F1 Driver Carlos Sainz At Cannes 2026

The first day of the 79th Cannes Film Festival witnessed a bizarre intersection that soon made its way through social media feeds. In her capacity as a brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris at the event, Alia Bhatt was spotted in what appeared to be a lively conversation with Formula One racing car driver Carlos Sainz Jr. Videos of the unscripted talk between the stars soon flooded the internet, with many referring to it as the biggest surprise celebrity meeting of the year.

In the now viral video, Alia gave Carlos a cheek kiss before both of them started talking for some time at an exclusive gathering of celebrities. Later, Carlos, who had donned a black tuxedo, was seen posing with Alia and other foreign personalities like Jane Fonda and Heidi Klum.

Alia Bhatt’s Cannes Outing 

Alia drew strong attention throughout the opening day of Cannes. Before stepping onto the red carpet, she was photographed arriving in a black blazer and capri pants by Carolina Herrera. Later, she appeared at Hôtel Martinez in a hand-painted gown by designer Yash Patil, a look that many fans compared to a fairy-tale costume.

For the opening ceremony, Alia changed into a custom peach couture gown by Tamara Ralph. The strapless outfit featured a sculpted neckline and flowing cape-like sleeves inspired by a dupatta. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the look was paired with a statement necklace featuring rare pink coral.

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A Painted Tribute to the Riviera 

Alia Bhatt’s day time dress was known for its artistic touches. The hand painted pattern depicted the landscapes and colors found in the French Riviera area, thus tying her outfit with the venue of the festival. This dress was more subtle but still eye-catching amid the glamorous outfits seen on the night-time red carpet.

This ensemble also highlighted Alia’s strategy for making an appearance overseas. Instead of focusing solely on bold silhouettes, she utilized fashion to tell a story related to the event. This decision, together with her interaction with Carlos Sainz, made sure that she would continue to be one of the most discussed figures during the first day of the festival.

The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival started on May 12 and runs till May 23, ending with the declaration of the winner of Palme d’Or. In addition to her world events, Alia Bhatt is also preparing for two movies – Love & War and the spy film Alpha. During the Cannes Film Festival, however, the discussion with Carlos Sainz became viral on the Internet.