Even as India debated whether The Da Vinci Code should be banned here, Aishwarya Rai attended the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, looking beautiful in a black dress.

The actress’ new film, Provoked, will also be premiered at the festival.

American actresses Andie MacDowell (left, who featured in Four Weddings And A Funeral) and Kerry Washington (centre, who had a role in Ray) pose with Ash.

All the three are faces for cosmetics giant L’Oreal.

Ms Rai, now a regular face at the festival, was a member of the jury in 2003.

That year, the Palme D’Or (Golden Palm) went to Gus Van Sant’s Elephant.