Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a global star who has made her country proud with her achievements, says Madhuri Dixit, coming out in support of her ‘Devdas’ co-star who faced trolling over her appearance on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. Aishwarya, a Cannes regular for more than two decades, became the target of online trolling and body-shaming after images and videos from the 2026 red carpet circulated on social media.

According to a PTI report yesterday, Madhuri said Aishwarya has built a legacy by representing India on the global stage and trolling her over her appearance sends the wrong message to youngsters.

Calling Aishwarya a “global star”, Madhuri said her achievements and contribution to the country cannot be reduced to comments about her looks.

Madhuri said Aishwarya has built a lasting legacy by representing India on the international stage and deserves recognition for her accomplishments.

“She has been going there for 20 years. She has done the whole country proud. She is a global star. As a Miss World, she has done so much for the country,” Madhuri told PTI.

She added that judging women by their age, dress size or appearance sends the wrong message, stressing that Aishwarya’s worth goes far beyond such superficial measures.

The two actors worked together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s acclaimed film ‘Devdas’, which premiered at Cannes in 2002 and marked Aishwarya’s first appearance at the festival. Her traditional yellow saree on the red carpet had then drawn widespread attention and helped cement her status as one of India’s most recognisable faces at the event.

Madhuri also criticised the growing culture of online commentary, saying such remarks place undue emphasis on physical appearance rather than achievement. She said people must consider the impact of their words on younger generations, warning that linking a person’s value solely to their looks promotes a “completely wrong message”. (Images courtesy the two actors’ Instagram accounts)