Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes 2012: Critics Shocked, Aishwarya Looks Stunning [SLIDESHOW]

Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai Bachchan finally touched down at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, after months of speculation regarding her attendance.

The actress has come under considerable criticism over weight gained post her pregnancy and, in reply, she turned up looking quite beautiful in traditional attire.

Yes... it was evident the former beauty queen had gained baby weight but the outfit and her look more than made up for that perceived loss. She was also in attendance at the L'Oreal Paris-amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) dinner to help raise funding for HIV/AIDS research; she wore a cream and gray Angleo Katsapis maxi dress during the afternoon, posing for photos. For the amfAR Cinema Against Aids Gala red carpet, the actress (and her mother) donned an elaborate sari designed by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla.

"She has decided to ditch designer gowns and go completely Indian at Cannes. She will walk the red carpet on May 24 and 25. While Abu-Sandeep, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Shahab Durazi were shortlisted to provide outfits, she finally decided to stick to Abu-Sandeep. The sari is off-white with chikankari work and antique gold embroidery. The churidar-kurtas are in beige and cream and classic Abu-Sandeep. Instead of choosing her usual dark colours, Ash has gone pastel this year," a source close to Aishwarya told The Times of India. There were earlier rumours her dress was to be designed by famous Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

After attending Cannes, Aishwarya will go to attend the 17th Bal de l'Ete at Monaco. The event, scheduled from 22 June to 24 June has the theme -Princess of Rajasthan.

So what will she wear for the Bal de l'Ete?

In the meanwhile, check out this slideshow of photographs of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's eleventh consecutive appearance at the Cannes Film Festival...