Sonam Kapoor made her debut with 'Saawariya' in 2007 and went on to earn praise for films such as 'Delhi-6', 'Aisha', 'Raanjhanaa', 'Neerja' and several others. While Sonam has been away from the movies, she remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Apart from her movies, being a fashion icon, Sonam was also known for her candidness and her episodes on 'Koffee With Karan' are among the most talked-about moments on the show.
The Controversy Involving Aishwarya Rai
Sonam once found herself at the centre of a much-publicised controversy involving Aishwarya Rai. The buzz began in 2009 when Sonam was announced as the face of a global beauty brand that Aishwarya had been a brand ambassador for. Around the same time, reports suggested that Aishwarya had stepped back from certain beauty endorsements, paving the way for a younger face to represent the brand.
What truly fueled headlines, however, was a comment Sonam made about her. Sonam referred to Aishwarya as an “aunty from another generation.” The remark quickly sparked debate, with many critics accusing the actress of being insensitive and age-shaming. At the time, Aishwarya was 36 while Sonam was 25, making the comment a widely discussed topic in entertainment circles.
Sonam's Explanation and Aishwarya's Silence
Interestingly, Aishwarya never publicly reacted to the statement and maintained her dignified silence throughout the controversy. Years later, Sonam addressed the issue during an interview with Hindustan Times. Explaining why she had used the term, she told Hindustan Times, ‘Aish has worked with my dad, so I have to call her aunty, na!’
Over the Years, Sonam Praised Aishwarya
Over the years, Sonam also publicly praised Aishwarya on several occasions. One such instance came in 2016 when Aishwarya made headlines at the Cannes International Film Festival for sporting bold purple lipstick, a look that sparked widespread discussion online.
Sharing her thoughts with PTI, Sonam defended Aishwarya’s fashion choice and said, "The whole idea of fashion and makeup is for people to discuss it and I guess she (Aishwarya) wanted to be discussed. She achieved what she wanted to achieve with it, which I think is great. I think it (purple lip colour) looked great and she (Aishwarya) carried it off with aplomb. I think it was great to do it in the 15th year, it’s cool. She was trending everywhere."
Reconciliation at Sonam's Wedding
Any lingering rumours of tension between the two actresses appeared to fade away in 2018 during Sonam Kapoor’s wedding celebrations with Anand Ahuja. According to reports, Sonam’s mother Sunita Kapoor personally invited Aishwarya after meeting her at a family wedding reception hosted by designer Sandeep Khosla’s relatives. Sonam reportedly followed up with an invitation of her own.
Aishwarya eventually attended the wedding festivities, putting to rest years of speculation about a supposed cold war and signalling that there was no bad blood between the two stars.
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TOI Entertainment Desk
The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.
