Aishwarya, Sonam, Freida: Bollywood's SEXIEST backs at Cannes

When it comes to strutting their stuff on the revered Cannes red carpet, our desi divas have truly come into their own.

The 67th Cannes International Film Festival is all set to commence in the idyllic French Riviera from May 14, and soon our desi divas will head out to attend one of the most glamorous cinematic events of the year.

Over the years, Bollywood actresses have really nailed it when it comes to making that flawless red carpet appearance everyone leaves talking about, despite early hiccups.

They have also learned the ropes to strike the perfect pose.

One of the styles that have dominated the Cannes red carpet is the backless look. 

Here's a 'look back':

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

India's Cannes veteran of over a decade, actress and L'Oreal brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai (much before she became Mrs Bachchan) is seen here in her early days at the fest in 2003, flaunting a back caught in a criss-cross blouse.

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Derided widely for her garish outfits in her early days at Cannes, Ash really brought on her A-game in the later part of her stint.

This fabulous Armani Prive number that she wore in 2010 had us all drooling with its classic cut. That classic over-the-shoulder pose from India's most beautiful and most globally recognised face was perfect too.

Trust Sonam Kapoor to reveal all the fashion aces up her sleeve at the Parisian festival.

Last year saw her arrive for a film screening in a dramatic, full -skirted Dolce & Gabanna number that even trumped her huge nose-ring stunt from a day earlier.

Sonam Kapoor's fantastic debut at 2011 edition of the fest was stuff red carpet legends are made of.

Dressed in a dreamy D&G monochrome gown, the actress sashayed down the red carpet for a screening with the confidence of a veteran.

Also channelling her new-found international diva status was Freida Pinto at the fest's 2012 red carpet in a Michael Angel peplum gown.

Few actresses have cracked the code when it comes to choosing stuff that suits their bodies like this stunner has.

The 29-year-old actress turned heads in her sparkly Sanchita gown at the 2013 Cannes Film Fest too.

With no new movies to promote or screen at the fest in 2012, the bold Mallika Sherawat decided to raised eyebrows with a barely-there outfit made by a French designer.

The clingy nude-coloured gown featured a daringly-plunging back that Ms Sherawat was only too keen to show off.

Which is not to say that the Hisss actress had had no red carpet successes to speak of.

While this revealing yellow gown seemed agreeable enough even though it endorsed the actress's brand of red carpet dressing, Mallika has made, hard as it may seem to believe, some really stylish appearances at Cannes through the years.

See here and here.

Deepika Padukone's equally sensational debut saw her in a stunning Rohit Bal sari and Indian jewels at the 2010 red carpet.

Few people have done Indian wear right since.

South African model and Azaan actress Candice Boucher raised eyebrows in her Gavin Rajah 'couture' gown as she arrived at a movie premiere in Cannes in 2011.