Bollywood icon and global celebrity Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has once again used her influential voice to champion a critical social issue, this time taking a powerful and unambiguous stand against the pervasive problem of street harassment.
A Bold Declaration During Beauty Brand Session
The actress articulated her strong views during a training session for a leading beauty brand, a notable collaboration that has spanned over ten years. A video from this session, which quickly gained traction on Instagram, captured the essence of her empowering message. In the clip, she directly confronts the issue by posing a question many women grapple with: “Street harassment. How do you deal with it?”
Rejecting age-old, fear-based advice often given to women, Aishwarya presented a new paradigm for response. She firmly dismissed suggestions like avoiding eye contact or making oneself smaller to go unnoticed. Instead, she advocated for a stance of confident defiance.
Empowering Words: "My Body, My Worth"
In her full statement, which resonated deeply with audiences, Aishwarya laid out a clear and empowering philosophy. “Avoid eye contact? No. Look the problem directly in the eyes. Hold your head high. Feminine and feminist, my body, my worth. Never compromise your worth. Do not doubt yourself. Stand up for your worth,” she stated with conviction.
She was particularly emphatic in dismantling the culture of victim-blaming, a common societal response to harassment. “Don't blame your dress or your lipstick. Street harassment is never your fault,” she added, making it clear that a woman's clothing or appearance is never an excuse for unwanted advances or behavior.
Social Media Erupts with Support and Admiration
Following the dissemination of her message, social media platforms were flooded with praise and gratitude from fans and followers alike. Users expressed their appreciation for her bravery in addressing a widespread yet frequently silenced problem. One user commented, “Street harassment is so real and hardly discussed. This is amazing.”
Another response highlighted the importance of her voice, stating, “An important reminder and powerful message for women and girls everywhere.” The overall sentiment was one of inspiration and long-overdue validation, with comments such as “Inspiring message for all girls,” and “It was about time someone addressed this.”
Continuing Success on the Professional Front
On the work front, Aishwarya Rai was last seen in the monumental success, ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2’. Directed by the acclaimed Mani Ratnam, this epic historical action drama was released in 2023 and featured an ensemble cast including Vikram, Ravi Mohan, Karthi, and Trisha Krishnan, among many other celebrated actors.
The film was met with widespread critical acclaim and proved to be a massive commercial triumph. It achieved a staggering global box office collection, grossing approximately ₹345 crore worldwide, cementing its place as a major cinematic achievement.
