Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan captivated audiences at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 with her poised presence and candid reflections on her nearly three-decade-long career. Speaking during a conversation session at the festival, she said that insecurity has never guided her choices, emphasising that she has always prioritised conviction over pressure, expectations or industry chatter.

Aishwarya says insecurity has never influenced her decisions

Rai Bachchan, who made her acting debut with Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar after winning Miss World 1994, said she has consistently chosen films based on instinct and clarity rather than fear of judgement.

“I don’t get insecure. That’s a real aspect of who I am,” she said, as quoted by Gulf News. “Insecurity has never been the driving force, which a lot of voices around can try and get into your head and sometimes propel choices. That is something that has never been me. That’s clarity in all my career choices, unknowingly but now in retrospect, I display from the beginning.”

The actor added that even during moments of peak stardom, she refused to let external expectations dictate her path. She revisited the period after Devdas, when many assumed she would sign another grand production. Instead, she chose Rituparno Ghosh’s intimate drama Chokher Bali.

“I did Chokher Bali after reaching a crescendo with Devdas. I was like, wow, what a beautiful story. That’s the movie I want to do,” she said.

The actor reflects on her minimalist approach to social media

Aishwarya also spoke about her limited social media presence, describing it as a conscious decision rooted in authenticity. She said she does not wish to perform for validation or conform to what is expected of public figures online.

“To those who have visited my one and only social media engagement platform, it’s almost been quite shy and basic. I’m quite a quiet rebel there,” she said. “I was like, no, I’m certainly not going to follow the expected. I wanted to set an example, but make a statement telling people to liberate yourself from fooling yourself into believing that this is what you need to feel validated.”

Her remarks resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom praised her grounded perspective in an industry increasingly fuelled by digital presence and constant visibility.

Aishwarya recalls Miss World 1994 and its impact on her worldview

Rai Bachchan also revisited the experience of winning Miss World at age 21, an event she described as a turning point in her understanding of India’s global image at the time. She said she did not view the competition as merely a beauty contest but as a chance to represent Indian women internationally.

“It amazed me how less informed a large part of the world was about Indian people, or the Indian woman at the time,” she shared. She recalled being asked archaic questions about India’s education system, geography and cultural stereotypes involving tigers and snake charmers.

The experience, she said, made her more determined to conduct herself with dignity and contribute to shaping global perceptions of India.

Aishwarya stuns on the red carpet at the Red Sea Film Festival

Alongside her conversation session, Aishwarya generated buzz online with her striking appearance at the festival. Dressed in a classic black gown paired with an emerald-green pendant, she opted for soft curls styled to the side, a departure from her usual straight, centre-parted look.

Fans praised the actor for her elegance, with her new photos quickly going viral across social platforms.

Conclusion

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s presence at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 reaffirmed her long-standing reputation as one of Indian cinema’s most graceful and self-assured voices. Through her reflections on career choices, self-worth and global representation, she highlighted the values that have shaped her journey — integrity, clarity and confidence without insecurity.