Madhuri Dixit Defends Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Amid Cannes Criticism, Says Beauty Is More Than Appearance

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recently faced online criticism and body-shaming comments following her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2026.

Veteran actress Madhuri Dixit has now come out in support of the former Miss World, standing firmly by her Devdas co-star and praising her remarkable global journey.

Madhuri emphasized that a woman's worth should never be measured by her age, appearance, or body size.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the Cannes Film Festival

Aishwarya, who has been a regular presence at the Cannes Film Festival for over two decades, once again made headlines with her red-carpet appearances this year. While many fans praised her elegance and style, some social media users targeted her physical appearance, sparking fresh conversations about beauty standards and online scrutiny.

Madhuri Dixit's Opinion on Her Devdas Co-Star

Speaking to PTI, Madhuri strongly condemned the criticism and highlighted Aishwarya's immense contribution to Indian cinema and India's image on the global stage.

"Aishwarya has represented our country at Cannes for nearly 20 years and has made all of us proud. She is a global star and a former Miss World who has achieved so much for India," Madhuri said.

The actress further stressed that it is unfair and problematic to reduce a woman's identity to numbers, whether related to age or body weight.

"You cannot define a person by a number on a weighing scale, a dress size, or even age. Aishwarya is beautiful, she looks stunning, but more importantly, she possesses an inner beauty that matters far more," she added.

Madhuri's Thoughts on Social Media Beauty Standards

Madhuri also expressed concern about the growing culture of appearance-based criticism on social media. According to her, such remarks send the wrong message to younger generations by suggesting that a person's value is determined by their looks rather than their achievements and character.

She pointed out that social media has given everyone a platform to express their views, including those who choose to focus on negativity. While such opinions may have always existed, today's digital landscape allows them to spread more quickly and gain greater visibility.

Madhuri's Upcoming Film

Meanwhile, Madhuri is gearing up for the release of her upcoming Netflix film Maa Behen, a dark comedy-thriller directed by Suresh Triveni and produced by Abundantia Entertainment. The film is scheduled to premiere on June 4, 2026.

An Overview of Maa Behen

Set in the quirky and gossip-driven neighbourhood of Adarsh Colony, Maa Behen follows the story of Rekha and her two daughters, Jaya and Sushma. Their already chaotic lives take an unexpected turn when they discover a dead body in their kitchen.

What follows is a hilarious yet suspenseful chain of events as the family desperately tries to hide the truth while staying one step ahead of their nosy neighbours.

The film also stars Triptii Dimri, Ravi Kishan, and Dharna Durga in pivotal roles.