In a powerful stand against online toxicity, veteran actress Renuka Shahane has come out in strong support of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, telling critics to simply 'shut your mouth' if they cannot be respectful. This comes after years of Aishwarya facing unwarranted trolling and body-shaming, particularly focused on her appearance after embracing motherhood.
A Legacy of Representing India
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is not just a Bollywood icon but a global ambassador for Indian cinema. She first appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 and quickly became a regular and celebrated presence on its prestigious red carpet. Her influence was cemented in 2003 when she became the first Indian actress to be signed as an international brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris. For over two decades, she has consistently represented the country with immense grace and poise, making headlines with her fashion choices year after year.
The Unfair Scrutiny and a Fierce Defense
Despite her achievements, a vocal minority on social media has persistently mocked and body-shamed her. This criticism intensified notably after the birth of her daughter, Aaradhya, in 2011. Renuka Shahane, in a recent interview with Zoom, expressed her frustration with this narrative. She urged people to celebrate Aishwarya's long-standing achievements instead of nitpicking her wardrobe.
"Should we not celebrate her consistent achievements over the years? It doesn’t take a minute for a big company to drop someone, and yet she’s been a global brand ambassador for L’Oréal for years," Shahane stated. "She represents us every single time. And all we can think about is, 'Oh, what she wore wasn’t right'? Please don’t do that. If you don’t have anything nice to say, just shut your mouth."
A Larger Problem for Women in the Spotlight
Shahane also highlighted the immense pressure female actors face in the age of social media, where constant judgment is rampant. She pointed out the unrealistic expectation for women to "instantly look as slim as before" after becoming a mother, calling it a "terrible" environment to live and work in.
This is not the first time Aishwarya's family has had to address the hate. Her husband, Abhishek Bachchan, had previously broken his silence on the matter, calling the trolling "extremely insensitive." In an interview with DNA, he emphasized that while she is a public figure, she is also a woman and a mother, and there is a line of decency that should not be crossed.
Grace Under Pressure: Aishwarya's Cannes 2025 Statement
Unfazed by the years of scrutiny, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to command the global stage with elegance. At the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, she made a powerful sartorial statement. Her first appearance was in a stunning ivory Manish Malhotra Banarasi saree, accessorized with bold sindoor, which was widely interpreted as a graceful nod to her Indian heritage and a subtle response to rumours about her personal life.
For her second red-carpet moment, she chose a custom black velvet gown by Gaurav Gupta, featuring a dramatic ivory brocade cape intricately embroidered with Sanskrit shlokas. This look masterfully blended traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern high fashion, once again proving why she remains an undisputed icon on the world stage.
