Gutsy Ash wears clingy Elie Saab and a smile

We'll give Aishwarya Rai Bachchan points for sheer gutsiness, and for metaphorically thumbing her nose at the weight watchers. Her fourth outfit at Cannes is possibly her most adventurous look ever, even though it shows almost no skin. Not only does the dark grey, spangly gown cling to every supersize curve, it also defines her plus size waist with a thin belt. But Ash clearly doesn't care if she looks fat or not, and we're giving her a rousing cheer for it. The designer? Old favourite Elie Saab.

In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Ash said that she has never advocated being size zero.

This will be Ash's most adventurous yet, and very probably it will be the dress she will be remembered for.

Coming Up: Ash's Cannes outfit #3: A Cavalli kaftan

After attending the amFAR gala in an Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla sari and less than impressive jacket, Ash redeemed herself somewhat with outfit number three - a resort-ready Roberto Cavalli kaftan.

Ash wore strappy heels by Giuseppe Zanotti and added sunglasses in the blazing Riviera sunshine.

Ash, who has been under scanner for her immense weight gain, said she has never believed in size zero and is enjoying this phase of her life.

Ash looks lovely.

The new mom, who has taken her six-month-old daughter Aaradhya to the festival, strikes a pose.

Coming Up: Ash in a sari at Cannes

There wasn't an inch of skin showing as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her second appearance this year at Cannes in the promised Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla sari. She attended the star-studded amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala in this cream chikankari sari and an elaborately embroidered jacket in place of a choli.

Aishwarya also contributed an Abu-Sandeep piece to the amFAR auction, which raised a total of $11 million for AIDS research.

This was Ash's very first red carpet outing after baby Aaradhya was born in November 2011.

Coming up: Ash makes first Cannes appearance in maxidress

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is reportedly being dressed by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla at Cannes this year, has just been sighted in an Angelo Katsapis maxidress. Ash, who's Cannes wardrobe has been a closely guarded secret so far, was expected to make all her appearances wearing traditional Indian ensembles.

In a surprise sartorial move, Ash wore this monochrome, flowing day dress for her very first appearance this year at Cannes. She left her hair down and kept make up simple.

Ash's appearance has been the subject of intense scrutiny recently. Her red carpet outfits are said to include a cream chikankari sari and an anarkali style kurta, but she's managed to surprise us already.

Coming Up: Will Ash be fashionable at Cannes this year?

Ash has had a hit and miss relationship with fashion with a series of disastrous ensembles her first few Cannes years and she fell pregnant just when she began getting it right. Post pregnancy, Ash has been criticised for her wardrobe choices in the few public appearances she has made but we hope to see her transform from frumpy back to fabulous at Cannes.

Ahead, Ash's Cannes red carpet style so far...

Cannes 2011: Simple jewellery and a Jimmy Choo Cosma clutch added the wow factor to Ash's pale Elie Saab.

Cannes 2011: Ash was in the big fashion league in a stunning geometric Armani Privé dress, a bold bracelet, and her trademark smokey eyes.

Cannes 2011: Ash posed at the waterfront to announce the ill fated Heroine, from which she was later dropped because of her pregnancy, in a brown afternoon dress and black strappy sandals . The look complemented her chocolate hair and was copied immediately back home.

Cannes 2002: For her first ever appearance at Cannes, Aishwarya chose to wear a sari. She was at Cannes with co-actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali to promote Devdas and picked a brighter-than-the-sun golden sari, with equally heavy gold jewellery. We didn't feel the look, but didn't hate it either.

Red carpet looks apart, the appearance opened up new vistas for India's most enduring face at Cannes. "It all started with Devdas in Cannes. It was brilliantly received and it opened up new avenues for me, that I didn't know existed at the time," she has said.

Cannes 2003: Green symbolises nature, life and birth, but on Aishwarya this green sari looked like a slow death for style.

As she looks back today, Ash says, "...you have to realise I'm working with a new bunch of professionals and embracing a new world... when you're a Jury Member you don't have the time to indulge."

Cannes 2003: Another badly chosen outfit - a shimmering pink dress accessorized with sparkling diamonds. Ash needed a style pick me up after the parrot-green sari disaster, but this certainly wasn't it.

Cannes 2004: Why wear a gown on that body? That's precisely what fashionistas asked Ash post her 2004 appearance. Clearly, red carpet style was a steep learning curver for Ash.

Cannes 2005: Bitter experience made Ash wise. She scored with a flirty, printed white maxi-dress and kept the make-up minimal.

Cannes 2005: Not even a style sinner such as Ash could go wrong with black. Usually demure, she took a risk with the plunging neck and sheer mid-section, and was rewarded with a thumbs up from fashion watchers.

Cannes 2006: A navy blue figure hugging gown with a statement neck-piece and wispy loose curls. Had Ash finally found her fashion mojo?

Cannes 2007: Ash's lovely smile sparkles brighter than her diamonds (and they are SPARKLY), as she holds onto husband Abhishek Bachchan. The year was 2007, and our export to Hollywood had finally made a mark-fashion wise.

Cannes 2008: It was back to gold again for Aishwarya in this shimmering gown, as she stood next to Eva Longoria and Rachida Brakni, looking like a diva in her own right.

Cannes 2008: In sharp contrast to her earliest years, 2008 began on a high note for Ash and she wore a pretty black gown.

Cannes 2008: Cannes does make Ash bold and beautiful! Ditching the conservative blacks and greys for this flamboyant fuschia dress, Ash received mostly positive reviews.

Cannes 2009: Ash started the fashion parade in a floor-sweeping white princess-y Roberto Cavalli number that with fitted bodice and a full, layered skirt. The pink clutch? That's Swarovski!

Cannes 2009: Ash looked ravishing in a grey dress by soon-to-be-favourite Elie Saab. The one-shoulder gown, with matching accessories and slicked-back hair was a safe choice - but little did we know she'd adopt it for many years to come!

Cannes 2010: One of her best red carpet moments - she did us proud in this black sheath dress, with a shoulder bateau neckline and short sleeves.

Cannes 2010: Another Elie Saab - this time, a violet mermaid gown with a dramatic train and sheer, embellished shoulders. We were nodding in approval, right from the start!

Cannes 2010: Ash followed her violet dress with another fashion hit - a strapless Armani Prive embellished black gown. She kept her hair severe, but added a slick of rose-red to her lips.

Cannes 2010: Ash swept the carpet clean in a magenta ruched chiffon Gucci gown with a twisted halter neck, a satin waist band and a full floor-length wavy skirt. She kept the accessorizing to a bare-minimum.

Cannes 2010: Ash turned heads with a stunning Sabyasachi-clad transformation on the arm of husband Abhishek Bachchan. We loved the pulled-back bun and the dark-eye makeup.