Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s annual appearance at the Cannes Film Festival is always a big moment for her fans and the Indian film industry. But this year, along with the usual shower of love, there was also some nasty trolling and body-shaming directed at the actress. While her loyal fan army quickly jumped to her defense, now her Devdas co-star Madhuri Dixit has also stepped up to shut down the haters.
Madhuri’s strong defense
In a recent interview, Madhuri Dixit didn’t hold back when asked about the criticism Aishwarya faced. She pointed out that Aishwarya has been representing India at Cannes for two decades now, and that alone deserves respect, not petty remarks about her appearance. “She has made the whole country proud. She is a global star,” Madhuri told reporters. She went on to say that reducing Aishwarya to a number on a scale, the size of her dress, or her age is unfair. “You cannot reduce her to that. She is beautiful inside and out,” the veteran actress added.
Aishwarya’s Cannes legacy
Aishwarya has been a fixture at the French Riviera festival since 2002, walking the red carpet in stunning ensembles year after year. She has become synonymous with Indian elegance on the global stage, and her appearances are often among the most anticipated of the festival. This year, however, some social media users chose to focus on her weight and styling rather than her achievements. Madhuri’s comments serve as a reminder that Aishwarya’s contribution to putting India on the international map goes far beyond any red carpet look.
The bigger message
Madhuri’s defense isn’t just about Aishwarya — it’s a broader message against the toxic culture of body-shaming that women in the public eye face constantly. “What kind of a message does that send?” Madhuri asked, calling for more kindness and less judgment. The Dhak Dhak Karne Laga star emphasized that Aishwarya’s inner beauty and years of hard work matter far more than any superficial critique. Fans have been flooding social media with support for both actresses, praising Madhuri for standing up for her former co-star in such a classy way.