Cannes Film Festival in Limbo as Alia Bhatt Skips Red Carpet Debut Amid Tensions Between India and Pakistan

The 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, which was expected to witness the red carpet arrival of international stars including Eva Longoria, Viola Davis, and Jane Fonda, has taken a hit with Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt opting out of her highly-anticipated appearance.

Bhutto: Alia’s decision comes amidst ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with sources close to the actress stating that she decided not to attend the event on May 13 due to the heightened security situation at the border. However, her team assured that this does not mean she will be skipping the entire festival entirely.

Insiders reveal that Alia Bhatt held a heartfelt message for the Indian soldiers released around the time of Mother's Day, which expressed her gratitude towards them and acknowledged the sacrifices made by their mothers.

"We mourn the lives that have been lost, soldiers who will never come home," she said in the note. "May their families find strength in the nation's gratitude. May they hope for less silence born of tension, and more silence born of peace."

Alia Bhatt's team has confirmed that her decision not to attend the festival was taken considering the current situation between India and Pakistan.

"Considering the current tensions at the border, Alia felt it wasn't right to attend Cannes today," a statement from her representatives read. "However, she is closely following the developments and may re-evaluate attending the festival on another date."

The 78th annual Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to take place from May 13 to May 24, with the event expected to be attended by some of the biggest names in cinema worldwide.

While Alia Bhatt's decision not to attend the festival has raised questions among fans and media personnel alike, her message for the Indian soldiers has resonated deeply with netizens, with many praising Alia for putting national pride above personal appearances.