Aishwarya Rai says it is an 'absolute honour' to be invited to be part of the jury. She adds that she is there 'as a student' and hopes to learn from her co-jury members and 'from cinema itself'.

Rai, dressed in a Neeta Lulla creation, is seen here being escorted by writer Erri De Lucca and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Erin Brockovich) to the opening night.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)