13 May,2025 06:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma
Alia Bhatt to skip Cannes 2025 opening ceremony Pic/AFP
Months leading up to the latest edition of the Cannes Film Festival, preparations were in place for Alia Bhatt's grand debut at the coveted event. She was supposed to attend the opening ceremony of the festival on Tuesday night. But mid-day has learnt that the Bollywood star has decided to skip the appearance at the last minute, owing to the sensitive situation across the country in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan conflict.
"As the L'Oreal ambassador, Alia was supposed to make her Cannes debut. She was slated to attend the grand opening ceremony tonight, for which she had to fly over the weekend. But in the current times of geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan, she wanted to express solidarity with the country and decided against going," says a source.
Though a ceasefire was announced on May 10, Saturday, the Jigra star was firm that she wouldn't take up her next commitment immediately. We, however, have also learnt that Alia might attend the festival in the coming days. "The festival is 11 days long. Of course, there were several activities planned around her today and tomorrow, but she is still contemplating if she can make it in the coming days. It will also depend on her schedule back home."
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Nevertheless, the 78th edition of the Cannes festival is going to register a huge Bollywood presence, with the team of Karan Johar-backed Homebound-- director Neeraj Ghaywan, actors Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and veteran actors Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal set to attend.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Alia is busy filming her upcoming movie Alpha. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is set to be a notable addition to Yash Raj Films' acclaimed spy universe and is scheduled for release on December 25. It also stars Sharvari as the parallel lead and Bobby Deol as a menacing antagonist.
She also has Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War with Ranbir and Vicky Kaushal. Alia earlier collaborated with Bhansali in the 2022 drama Gangubai Kathiawadi. This will be her second collaboration with Ranbir after Brahmastra, as well as Vicky after Raazi.
