Aishwarya, Deepika, Ranbir light up Mumbai Film Festival

Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan kicked off the 16th Mumbai Film Festival on Tuesday (October 16). She was also joined by Akshay Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor, Kiran Rao, Huma Qureshi to name a few on Day 1. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan kept it simple yet elegant in a blue Sabyasachi sari worn with red embroidered blouse. We like! (Source: Varinder Chawla)

Aishwarya wore her hair hair down and light lip colour. Seen here with French actress Catherine Deneuve. (Source: AP Photo)

Deepika Padukone, who was glowing in gold, clicks a selfie with fans. (Source: Varinder Chawla)

"Kudos to the team and everybody who has made this happen. I knew what was going on and what it took to keep the flag going. I am experiencing the conviction, belief, faith they had to keep this festival going. I take such pride and such an honour to be standing here today and declaring 16th Mumbai Film festival open," Aishwarya told reporters.

Aishwarya Rai and her infectiuous smile. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Also seen at the opening ceremony was Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, who was dapper in a black suit. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Akshay Kumar poses with the very beautiful Kiran Rao. Kiran was radiant in a yellow sari. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Huma Qureshi has been wowing fans with her choice of clothes and she nailed it this time again in a printed Pankaj and Nidhi sheath knee length dress. Pointed pumps, light red lip colour added colour to her entire look. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Kalki Koechlin is another fashionista on the block and she was impressive in a one shoulder Nikhil Thampi dress. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Aishwarya chats with Kalki on stage. (Source: Varinder Chawla)

Chinese-born American actress Bai Ling shows off her tattoo in a dangerously low back dress at the opening ceremony of the16th Mumbai Film Festival in Mumbai. (Source: AP)

Director Ramesh Sippy with his actress-wife Kiran Sippy. (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Rahul Bose looks surprised! (Source: Express Photo by Dilip Kagda)

Director's roll call - Shyam Benegal, Subhash Ghai, Raju Hirani

Aishwarya Rai greets her ex-beau Salman Khan's mother Helen. (Source: Varinder Chawla)

Look who was spotted together? Estranged couple Kalki and Anurag Kashyap. Nice! (Source: Varinder Chawla)

Helen, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award, is being helped by Zarina Screwvala. (SOurce: Varinder Chawla)

Ranbir greets Aamir Khan's wife Kiran with a hug. (Source: Varinder Chawla)

Siddharth Roy Kapur was seen sans wife Vidya Balan. (Source: Varinder Chawla)