Yaar, can we just let Aishwarya Rai Bachchan exist without picking apart her appearance? That’s the gist of Madhuri Dixit’s fiery defence of her fellow diva. The ‘Dhak Dhak Karne Laga’ star didn’t hold back when asked about the relentless age-shaming and body-shaming comments directed at Aishwarya on social media.
While promoting her upcoming Netflix film ‘Maa Behen’, Madhuri sat down for a chat and made it crystal clear that Aishwarya’s legacy is way bigger than any troll’s keyboard. “She has been going there (Cannes Film Festival) for 20 years. She has done the whole country proud. She is a global star,” Madhuri stated passionately.
A Global Icon, Not a Number
Madhuri pointed out that Aishwarya isn’t just any random celeb – she’s a former Miss World who has represented India on the global stage for decades. So when people reduce her to a dress size or a number on the calendar, it’s not just unfair, it’s downright wrong. “You cannot reduce her to a number on a scale, or a number on the dress, or the size or a number on the calendar years. You cannot reduce her to that. She is beautiful. She looks beautiful, and she is beautiful inside,” Madhuri added.
The veteran actor made it clear that Aishwarya’s contribution to Indian cinema and her global achievements should never be overshadowed by shallow conversations about her looks, age, or body type. And honestly, after two decades of slaying the Cannes red carpet, Aishwarya has nothing left to prove.
The Wrong Message to Youth
But Madhuri wasn’t just defending Aishwarya – she was calling out the bigger problem. She expressed serious concern about what kind of message these comments send to youngsters who consume social media daily. “I think people have to realise that when you do these kinds of comments, what kind of message are you sending to the youngsters today? That your worth is based on how you look, not on your achievements. I think this is a completely wrong message being sent,” she explained.
Madhuri also noted that criticism about appearances has always existed, but now trolls have a powerful platform to spread their negativity. “Even earlier, there were people like that. But those who commented didn’t have a means to comment (back then). But today, they have the means,” she added. Oof, burn.
A Two-Decade Legacy at Cannes
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been a familiar face at the Cannes Film Festival since 2002, when she made her debut representing Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’. That’s over 20 years of serving looks and making India proud on the international stage. Yet every year, despite her stature, she finds herself at the receiving end of online criticism about her age or weight.
While Aishwarya herself rarely responds to such comments, several industry insiders have spoken up in her support over the years. Now Madhuri Dixit has added her voice to the chorus, reminding everyone that Aishwarya’s worth goes way beyond a red carpet moment. As the ‘Dola Re Dola’ star summed it up: Aishwarya is a global star, and that’s that.