In a delightful display of elegance and glamour, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya returned to Mumbai after attending the 76th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. They looks in perfect poise despite the “Costume Slaves” slam by Vivek Agnihotri took rounds on social media.
The mother-daughter duo mesmerized onlookers with their radiant smiles as they made their way through the bustling Mumbai airport. Aaradhya, a seasoned Cannes attendee, greeted the paparazzi with folded hands and a warm “Namaste” as cameras flashed around them. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan herself had graced the red carpet at Cannes for the screening of the highly anticipated film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
During an engaging conversation with a entertainment journalist in Cannes, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was asked about her daughter’s experience at the festival. With a playful smile, the actress responded, “Isn’t that a question that she should be answering? At some point in her life, I guess, she will. And that’s when we’ll know what she really takes away. It is really about just being together, it’s familiar to her, she knows everybody here, it is really about reuniting with friends, coming back here to Cannes, it is an experience that is so familiar to her. She (Aaradhya) is a lot like me in that sense that we are people’s people. It begins with that. She loves the play, she loves the vibe. I’m sure she gets the fact that this is really a film festival. It is really about the world of cinema.”
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, co-stars of iconic films like Umrao Jaan, Guru, Kuch Naa Kaho, and Raavan, tied the knot on April 20, 2007. The couple welcomed their beautiful daughter, Aaradhya, in 2011, completing their loving family.
However, amidst the glitz and glamour, at Cannes 2023 filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri stirred up controversy with a tweet questioning the presence of assistants who accompany female celebrities on the red carpet. Vivek shared a picture of Aishwarya’s stunning red carpet moment, in which she adorned a silver gown with an impressive train and a voluminous hood. The photo captured a man in a black suit carefully arranging the train of her gown on the red carpet for picture-perfect moments.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes; Vivek Agnihotri sparks “Costume Slaves” Debate
In his tweet, Vivek Agnihotri wrote, “Have you guys heard of a term called ‘costume Slaves’? They are mostly girls (a suited man in this case). You can see them now in India too with almost every female celeb. Why are we becoming so stupid and oppressive just for such uncomfortable fashion?”
The tweet sparked mixed reactions from netizens. While some agreed with Vivek’s sentiment, others questioned him for singling out Aishwarya. One Twitter user retorted, “Why are you jealous? Cannes not invited you.” Another defended the actress, stating, “Personal choice! None of your judgmental business.” The debate continued, with one tweet suggesting, “I think the brands pay them (ambassadors) for the carpet looks. Money makes the world go round. After all, it’s a part of showbiz.”
While opinions were divided, there were those who echoed Vivek’s viewpoint. A Twitter user expressed, “Whoever’s dress/costume, their own responsibility. This women pampering should be stopped.” Another remarked, “They really watch movies wearing these? Man, how do they enjoy the movies? She would have been so uncomfortable.”
Prior to the controversy, Aishwarya had stunned in a mesmerizing ensemble by Sophie Couture for her first appearance on the Cannes red carpet this year. However, online trolls were quick to criticize her choice, expressing disapproval of her look.
Undeterred by the negativity, Aishwarya attended the premiere of Hollywood veteran Harrison Ford’s film, Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny, on Thursday, basking in the glory of her recent success for her remarkable performance in the highly anticipated film, Ponniyin Selvan: II. As the graceful actress continues to captivate audiences with her talent and charm, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan remains an icon of elegance and poise on the global stage.