The news from Cannes 2015: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wows Cannes crowds

Also, Female stars complete charity road trip; Film sheds light on US war on drugs; Rossellini presents Bergman film; and DiCaprio’s charity gift for mum.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan poses for cameras on the Cannes dock at the photo call for her film Jazbaa. Getty Images

Bollywood star and L'Oréal ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may well have caused boats to crash on Tuesday as she posed for cameras on the Cannes dock at the photo call for her film Jazbaa. The 41-year old wore a Bordeaux-coloured Oscar de la Renta organza and silk taffeta gown with layered lattices that gave a classic gown a fashion-forward twist. See Arts&Life on Sunday for our exclusive interview with the actress.

Female stars complete charity road trip

The celebrity charity car rally Cash & Rocket roared into Cannes on Tuesday, with stars including Furious 7 actress Michelle Rodriguez, model Jodie Kidd and singer Natalie Imbruglia. Seventy women are selected each year from the worlds of fashion, film, music and art to travel Europe in a glamorous convoy of 35 red cars. The rally began in Paris and went to Lyon and Milan before arriving at the finish line in Cannes – 1,717 kilometres and five days later. This year, it was raising money for the charities Oafrica, Sumbandila and Shine on Sierra Leone – which helps poor women and children in the developing world.

Film sheds light on US war on drugs

Denis Villeneuve debuted his drug-war thriller Sicario at Cannes, a saga that plunges deep into Mexico only to reveal more about the other side of the border. "For me, the movie's not about Mexico," said Villeneuve. "The movie's about America." Emily Blunt stars as an FBI agent who joins a task force led by a cocky CIA operative (Josh Brolin). They're joined by a mysterious Colombian, played by Benicio del Toro, as they carry out clandestine raids on Mexico and other illicit activities in an attempt to bring down a cartel boss. "We are living in a time where grey zones are more blurred than ever," said Villeneuve.

Rossellini presents Bergman film

There's no getting away from Ingrid Bergman at this year's festival. Her youthful eyes stare out from giant billboards in town, special film screenings celebrate her classic movies and her daughter, actress Isabella Rossellini, is at the festival as jury president of the Un Certain Regard competition. On Tuesday, Rossellini, 62, also presented a documentary, directed by Stig Björkman, called Ingrid Bergman – In Her Own Words. It uses never-before-seen documents, diaries, letters and personal images from Bergman to tell the incredible story of how a young Swedish girl won three Oscars and became one of the most respected actresses in world cinema.

DiCaprio's charity gift for mum

Who knew Leonardo DiCaprio had an eye for Chanel bags? The actor paid €10,000 for a blue Chanel neoprene flap bag embroidered with flowers on the Croisette at Cannes. It was all for charity, part of an auction at the Heart Fund Gala, also attended by Paris Hilton, actor Gary Dourdan and featuring a performance by Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def). It was also for his mother – he said he would be giving it to her. The auction was in aid of The Heart Fund, which offers cardiovascular care around the globe for impoverished children. Heart surgeons donate their services to perform operations that would otherwise be unaffordable.

* AP