The Cannes Film Festival 2025 got a heavy dose of Bollywood glam when Alia Bhatt finally made her red carpet debut, and boy, did she serve! But what started as a fairytale moment quickly turned into a full-blown fashion conspiracy. The pastel floral gown she wore? The internet screamed, “Wait a minute… haven’t we seen this before?”

Cue the flashback music: it is Cannes 2017. Mallika Sherawat walks the same red carpet in an embellished ivory floral gown, looking ethereal in curls and cherry-tinted lips. Fast forward eight years, and netizens were convinced Alia had raided Mallika’s wardrobe. The whispers turned into posts, and those posts turned into viral breakdowns comparing every ruffle and rose on both gowns. Fashion deja vu? Total copycat moment? Or just a big coincidence?

At Screening and opening gala during 70th annual #cannesfilmfestival2017 #majesticbarriere #goergeshobeika @dessangeparis @messikajewelry pic.twitter.com/dpS1a5hyOC

— Mallika Sherawat (@mallikasherawat) May 18, 2017

Here’s the plot twist: they are NOT the same dress. Repeat: not. the. same. While they both brought soft florals and dreamy drama to the red carpet, Mallika’s gown was a Georges Hobeika masterpiece from the Lebanese designer's archives. On the other hand, Alia turned heads in a Schiaparelli haute couture creation by Daniel Roseberry, straight from the Maison’s Spring/Summer 2025 line.

Fashion divas on the internet pointed out that while Mallika's look leaned into embellished extravagance, Alia’s dress was all about subtlety. With structured shoulders, delicate embroidery, a cinched bodice, and vintage ruffles, it was a modern fairytale, tailored to perfection for her petite frame.

And while Mallika had her cherry-lipped charm moment, Alia chose soft-glam sophistication. A whisper of makeup, loose waves, and that classic old-Hollywood elegance made her look fresh, not familiar.

So, was it fashion plagiarism or just a case of coincidence? Well, to burst your bubble, the verdict is in, it’s nothing but just two very different takes on timeless floral couture.