Aishwarya Rai Bachchan once again found herself at the centre of public debate after her appearance at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival sparked discussions about body shaming, ageing and beauty standards. The actor, a Cannes regular for over two decades, drew both praise and criticism after photographs of her red-carpet appearance circulated widely on social media.
The controversy intensified when journalist Mrinal Pande commented on Aishwarya’s appearance, triggering a larger debate on the unrealistic expectations placed on women, particularly those viewed as beauty icons. Clinical psychologist Shweta Sharma said society often struggles to accept that women can age naturally, gain weight or undergo physical changes without losing their worth.
Several celebrities defended Aishwarya. Kangana Ranaut criticised trolls for expecting women to conform to fixed beauty standards, while Madhuri Dixit argued that judging women primarily by their appearance sends a damaging message to young people.
The debate also highlighted gender double standards in entertainment, where ageing men are more readily accepted while women continue to face intense scrutiny over their looks. (PTI)
