After Deepika's BAFTA & Kiara's Tira look speculated pregnancy buzz, will Alia's Cannes rumours turn true?

In the glitzy whirlwind of red carpets and paparazzi flashes, every fold of a gown, every angle of a pose, and even a subtle glow can ignite a frenzy of speculation. This time, it's Alia Bhatt who finds herself at the centre of pregnancy rumours after her striking appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. With her radiant presence and a show-stopping black Armani Privé gown, Bhatt stole the limelight, but what followed was a different kind of spotlight altogether.

Alia, a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, walked the Cannes red carpet in an intricately bejewelled black-and-blue ensemble, styled by Rhea Kapoor. The celestial design, complete with a dramatic headpiece and structured silhouette, was an unforgettable moment in fashion. But the elegance and regality of her look quickly gave way to a different conversation online: “Is Alia pregnant again?”

Reddit threads lit up with speculative comments. One user wrote, “From certain angles, she looks pregnant." Another chimed in, “She’s glowing, she is definitely pregnant.” The video of her red carpet moment, now viral on Instagram and X, only added fuel to the fire. Some fans pointed out what they believed to be a “slight bump” under her fitted yet subtly draped gown. Others noted her unusually reserved body language, which they felt hinted at her trying to conceal something.

The rumours only intensified when, during a quick interview on the sidelines of the festival, a reporter casually asked if she was expecting. Alia, often candid with the media, chose not to answer, a move that only heightened curiosity. But is this just another case of reading too much into an outfit or a moment? Or are we witnessing a now-familiar cycle?

There’s no denying that this isn’t the first time an actress's fashion choice has led to pregnancy speculation which later turned out to be true. Just a few months ago, Kiara Advani sparked similar rumours at a Tira beauty event in Mumbai. Dressed in a billowy black shirt and midi skirt with bishop sleeves and an asymmetrical hemline, Kiara looked effortlessly chic. But fans immediately noticed the oversized silhouette and her unmistakable glow. Speculation took over social media. The very next day, Kiara and Sidharth Malhotra confirmed they were expecting their first child.

A similar pattern emerged with Deepika Padukone. At the 77th BAFTA Awards, she appeared in a shimmery pink Sabyasachi saree, and the internet was quick to speculate. Her choice of draping and the way she appeared to shield her midriff sparked online conversations. This was followed by another covered-up airport look, further fuelling the rumours. Within days, Deepika and Ranveer Singh announced they were expecting and netizens felt validated.

So, with Kiara and Deepika's timelines fresh in public memory, is Alia’s Cannes appearance just another chapter in this unfolding trend? It’s important to note that Alia is already a mother to baby Raha Kapoor, born in 2022. Since then, she’s seamlessly balanced her motherhood journey with a thriving film career. She's currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, adding to an already hectic schedule. Her Cannes appearance was not only a fashion moment but also a statement of her ever-growing global influence.

And yet, despite all this, her body, more specifically, her midsection is once again the subject of public scrutiny. It begs the question: why are we so quick to speculate on a woman’s pregnancy based on how she looks on a given day?

Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston said it best in her 2016 op-ed: “For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up.” Aniston's words ring even truer today. Women, especially those in the public eye, are constantly judged for their appearance. Sonakshi Sinha, Shibani Dandekar, and Patralekhaa silenced such rumours earlier with sassy replies. A loose dress, a hint of bloating, or even just a softer glow can invite speculation that can be invasive and deeply personal.

The excitement around potential good news is understandable. Fans love seeing their favourite stars grow their families. But where do we draw the line between admiration and intrusion?

Whether Alia Bhatt is pregnant again or not is ultimately her story to share when and if she chooses to. For now, she remains a powerhouse of talent, a fashion icon, and a working mom redefining what it means to be a modern Indian superstar. Let’s celebrate her for that, rather than reduce her Cannes moment to a rumour mill.