Madhuri Dixit has strongly defended fellow actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan against online trolling and body-shaming following her appearance at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Madhuri said the global star’s achievements cannot be reduced to her appearance, age or dress size.
Speaking about the backlash, Madhuri said Aishwarya has spent years representing India on the global stage. She argued that the actress deserves recognition for her accomplishments, not scrutiny over her looks.
Recalling Aishwarya’s journey from winning the Miss World title to becoming an international icon, Madhuri said she has made the country proud and built a remarkable legacy.
Madhuri also argued that judging women solely on appearance sends a damaging message to younger generations. She said it implies that a woman’s value lies in her physical appearance rather than her achievements or talent.
What happened at Cannes 2026
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended Cannes 2026 with multiple appearances. Her looks included futuristic metallic couture, a romantic ensemble, and an all-white avant-garde tuxedo designed by Cheney Chan for her final red carpet appearance.
Her appearance sparked mixed reactions online. While some viewers praised her elegance, a section of social media users criticised her styling.
Amid the criticism over her blue gown appearance, Kangana Ranaut also came to Aishwarya’s defence. Kangana called out age-shaming and celebrated Aishwarya’s confidence.
A heartwarming video from the festival also showed Aishwarya warmly greeting fans, signing autographs and posing for selfies while daughter Aaradhya stood proudly beside her. Aaradhya also faced online trolling during the festival.
Aishwarya’s long history at Cannes
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan first walked the Cannes red carpet in 2002. Her debut came when she arrived alongside Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the premiere of Devdas. A year later, she served as a Cannes jury member, becoming the first Indian actress to do so.
For years, Aishwarya’s Cannes appearances have been defined by dramatic gowns, bold beauty looks and large-scale glamour. Fashion critics described her 2026 appearances as among her strongest Cannes years yet, noting a shift toward sharper and more fearless styling.
Despite repeated criticism over the years on fashion choices, Aishwarya has publicly said she does not follow crash diets before red carpet events. She has stated she believes in a healthy and steady regime that does not exhaust the body or mind.