Mumbai: Actor Madhuri Dixit has come out in support of fellow actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, condemning the online trolling and body-shaming she faced following her appearance at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Aishwarya, who has represented India at the prestigious international event for more than two decades, became the subject of social media criticism after photographs and videos from the red carpet circulated online.
Madhuri praises Aishwarya’s global achievements
Speaking in an interview, Madhuri emphasised that Aishwarya’s contribution to Indian cinema and her international achievements should not be overshadowed by discussions about her appearance.
She noted that Aishwarya has represented India on the global stage for over 20 years and has brought immense recognition to the country through her work and accomplishments.
Madhuri described Aishwarya as a global icon whose value extends far beyond physical appearance, adding that her achievements and personality deserve greater recognition than superficial judgments.
Criticism sends wrong message, says actor
Madhuri expressed concern about the impact such online commentary could have on younger generations.
According to the actor, reducing an individual’s worth to physical appearance, age or body size promotes harmful standards and ignores their accomplishments and contributions.
She argued that young people should be encouraged to value achievements, talent and character rather than appearance alone.
The actor said that Aishwarya remains beautiful not only because of her appearance but also because of her qualities as a person.
Long-standing association through Devdas
Madhuri and Aishwarya shared screen space in Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and also starring Shah Rukh Khan.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002, marking Aishwarya’s first appearance at the prestigious event. Since then, she has become one of the most recognisable Indian faces at Cannes and a regular representative of Indian cinema on the international stage.
Social media criticism under scrutiny
Madhuri also reflected on the nature of social media discourse, saying digital platforms have made it easier for people to express opinions, often without considering their impact.
According to her, criticism and negative comments existed in the past as well, but modern social media platforms have amplified their reach and visibility.
The actor suggested that the ease of posting opinions online has contributed to a culture where public figures are frequently subjected to harsh scrutiny.
Triptii Dimri supports Madhuri’s views
Actor Triptii Dimri echoed Madhuri’s sentiments, arguing that people often underestimate the hard work and dedication required to achieve success in the entertainment industry.
She said it is easy to criticise public figures from a distance while overlooking the effort they have invested in building their careers.
Triptii noted that both Aishwarya and Ananya Panday, who recently faced criticism over a dance sequence in her upcoming film, have worked hard to earn their place in the industry.
Focus on achievements over appearances
The debate surrounding Aishwarya’s Cannes appearance has once again highlighted concerns about body-shaming and unrealistic beauty standards on social media.
Madhuri’s comments have added to calls for greater appreciation of artists based on their accomplishments rather than their physical appearance, while encouraging a more respectful and constructive public discourse.
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