Aishwarya Rai At 2012 Cannes Film Festival: Actress Shocks Critics With Stunning Figure and Gorgeous Looks [PHOTOS]   

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan finally appeared at the 65th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday amidst recent controversy over her weight gain.

The 'Best Dressed Celebrity' arrived for the L'Oreal Paris-amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) dinner on Thursday at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, to help raise funds for HIV/AIDS research.

"Eleven glorious years....the journey so far has been remarkable and truly memorable. This year, I am especially privileged as I also get to lend my support to a very important cause at the amfAR dinner, by helping raise funds for the fight against AIDS, at the AMFAR auction," Aishwarya said in a statement.

"It makes me proud that L'Oreal Paris sponsors and supports our fight against AIDS through this special amfAR event at Cannes," she added.

Aishwarya gave birth to daughter last November and since then she has been criticized for her post-baby weight gain.

Her fans on blogs and in entertainment columns have slammed her for her weight gain, with many people arguing that it's her "duty to look good," but last night at Cannes she silenced all the critics by revealing a slimmer and elegant figure.

Earlier in the afternoon, Ash was pictured on a sunny balcony in front of the ocean posing in a grey and cream ombre maxi dress along with thin black long-sleeved cardigan over it, which was designed by Angelo Katsapis. The actress was looking stunningly beautiful with her hair that covered one eye.

Later in the evening, when she appeared at the amfAR dinner party she wore an off-white chikankari work and gold embroidered sari and a long-sleeved jacket with a high Mandarin collar designed by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. The sari was surely designed keeping in mind her new figure, but the jacket was looking heavy and thick.

Her hair was pulled back and twisted in the front with a slender gold band. In terms of jewellery she kept it simple and her make-up was also simple with the dark eyeliner around her eyes that made her beautiful blue eyes really pop.

Apparently, the actress took two weeks to decide her final Cannes dress.

The actress has been attending the Cannes film festival since 2002 as the brand ambassador of cosmetic brand L'Oreal.