Highlights:
- Aishwarya Rai faced body-shaming comments after Cannes appearance.
- Debate centered on aging, beauty standards and celebrity scrutiny.
- Kangana Ranaut and Madhuri Dixit defended the actor.
- Psychologist says criticism reflects society’s rigid beauty norms.
- Experts point to a gender-based double standard in showbiz.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has spent decades navigating the spotlight, evolving from a global beauty icon to a woman increasingly celebrated for aging gracefully and confidently. Her latest appearance at the Cannes Film Festival once again placed her at the center of a wider conversation about beauty standards, body image, and the scrutiny faced by women in the entertainment industry.
For years, Aishwarya has been one of the most anticipated Indian personalities on the Cannes red carpet. As actors Alia Bhatt and Aditi Rao Hydari, both brand ambassadors for cosmetic giant L'Oreal, attended this year’s festival, many social media users repeatedly asked the same question: where was Aishwarya Rai, the original L’Oreal ambassador and a Cannes regular for nearly a quarter century?
The 52-year-old actor and former Miss World eventually appeared toward the end of the festival in a sculpted blue gown designed by Amit Aggarwal. Images and videos of her appearance quickly spread across social media platforms. Soon after, discussions about her look shifted toward her weight, triggering trolling and body-shaming comments.
Among those who weighed in was journalist Mrinal Pande, whose remarks on social media sparked a larger public debate.
"The natural beauty has diminished this time. The cheeks appear somewhat more puffed up,” the Padma Shri winning journalist known for her feminist writing said on X and it soon spiralled into a huge debate.
When questioned about her remarks, Pande defended her position, arguing that public figures are often assessed differently because of the standards associated with their careers and public image.
"Sorry lady, she has been promoted the world over as an iconic beauty and a brand ambassador since 1994 when she won the beauty contest. Any dimming of that aura will be naturally pointed out using the same criteria beauty pageant industry has set," she wrote.
Some of her more critical posts were later removed.
The criticism directed at Aishwarya is not new. Following the birth of her daughter Aaradhya in 2011, the actor was also subjected to public commentary and trolling over her appearance. Unlike many celebrities who face pressure to quickly return to a pre-pregnancy image, Aishwarya appeared comfortable with her post-pregnancy weight, drawing both criticism and admiration.
Clinical psychologist Shweta Sharma believes the recurring focus on Aishwarya’s appearance reveals more about society’s perception of beauty than about the actor herself.
"It happened before also when she gained weight after the delivery… Aishwarya has always existed in the minds of Indian women or I would say globally as a beauty icon, as a Miss World, as a symbol of perfection. But the problem is that our idea of a beauty icon itself has become deeply corrupted by rigid societal standards,” Sharma told PTI.
According to Sharma, society often celebrates women for their beauty while simultaneously refusing to accept the natural physical changes that come with life and aging.
"We admire her for her beauty, but at the same time, we never understand or we deny that they always have a right to age naturally, they can gain weight, they can change physically or simply look human, which she accepts as a celebrity, definitely with grace," she added.
Actor Kangana Ranaut was among the first voices from the film industry to publicly defend Aishwarya. Responding to online criticism, Ranaut urged people to stop expecting women to conform to unrealistic standards.
"Fashion and style is a self expression. It is one's own interpretation of life and their attitude. No woman owes anything to anyone. Ash looks great! Those of you who want to see her any other way, why don't you show what you got?
"She is not here to please you. She is glorious. If you are not used to seeing older women on red carpets, get used to them now. Thanks,” the “Queen” star wrote on Instagram.
Madhuri Dixit also criticized the focus on Aishwarya’s appearance, saying such reactions undermine her accomplishments and send harmful messages to younger generations.
"She (Aishwarya) has been going there for 20 years. She has done the whole country proud. She is a global star. As a Miss World, she has done so much for the country. 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 but she is beautiful inside," Madhuri told PTI.
"I think people have to realise that when you make these kinds of comments, what kind of message are you sending to the youngsters today? That your worth is on how you look, not on your achievements. I think this is a completely wrong message being sent," Madhuri said.
Aishwarya first attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 when Devdas screened at the event. A year later, she became a brand ambassador for L’Oreal and has remained associated with the festival ever since. She was also the first Indian actor to serve on the Cannes jury.
Indian actor Shahrukh Khan, actress Aishwarya Rai and director Sanjay Leela Bhansalito (From LtoR) salute the photographers as they arrive at the Palais des festivals to attend the screening of their film 'Dedvas' during the 55th Cannes film festival 23 May 2002. The film is presented out of competition. Getty Images
Over the years, her appearances have frequently generated discussion in India, often extending beyond fashion. In 2016, for example, her choice of purple lipstick at Cannes became the subject of intense public debate.
For Sharma, the latest controversy highlights the persistence of deeply ingrained beauty standards.
"Education is not going to help unless we are not able to break that conditioning, which constantly tells women that their worth lies in maintaining a certain appearance and a body image. I feel this conversation is important because it shows how uncomfortable society still is with the natural relation of a woman's body and identity,” Sharma said.
She added that it is particularly concerning when educated women participate in such criticism because it demonstrates how deeply beauty norms have been internalized within society.
Sharma also pointed to what she described as a clear gender-based double standard in the entertainment industry. While male actors are often allowed to age naturally and continue playing romantic or leading roles, women are more frequently judged on their appearance, weight, wrinkles, and whether they still resemble the image audiences associated with them years earlier.
“The conversation (when it comes to women) quickly shifts towards their appearance, their weight, their wrinkles, or whether they still fit the image society created for them years ago. So that difference clearly reflects a gender-based double standard, which is very prominent in this industry," she said, adding that celebrities sometimes contribute to setting these rigid standards.
Unlike Hollywood, where actors such as Meryl Streep continue to find substantial roles later in life, mainstream Hindi cinema has traditionally offered fewer opportunities to women as they age, though that trend is gradually changing. Actors including Shefali Shah and Madhuri Dixit have found leading roles on streaming platforms and in projects that place mature women at the center of the story.
Shah had previously spoken about regretting playing Akshay Kumar’s mother in the 2005 film Waqt despite being younger than him. In the years since, she has focused on roles of her choice in offbeat films and streaming shows, while Dixit has recently earned praise for her performance in Maa Behen.
