Madhuri Dixit is shutting down toxic internet trolls targeting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan!
After Aishwarya faced harsh trolling and body-shaming over her Cannes Film Festival 2026 red-carpet looks, her "Devdas" co-star Dixit has now stepped in with a powerful response.
Pointing out that Aishwarya has proudly represented India on the global stage for over two decades, Madhuri stated that the global star's legacy cannot be diminished by trolling. She also cautioned that such online negativity sends an incredibly damaging message to impressionable youth.
"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 said.
"You cannot reduce her to a number on a scale or a number on the dress or the size or a number on the calendar years. You cannot reduce her to that. She is beautiful. She looks beautiful but she is beautiful inside," Madhuri said hitting out at trolls.
Madhuri and Aishwarya worked together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period romance drama "Devdas" with Shah Rukh Khan.
In fact, Aishwarya first attended Cannes in 2002 for the premiere of the film alongside Shah Rukh. Her appearance on the red carpet in a traditional yellow saree drew widespread attention back then and she is often seen as India's representation at the festival.
Madhuri criticised the negative social media discourse around Aishwarya's appearance.
"I think people have to realise that when you do these kinds of comments, what kind of message are you sending to the youngsters today? That your worth is on how you look, not on your achievements. I think this is a completely wrong message being sent," Madhuri said.
According to Madhuri, social media has become a tool for anyone to comment on anything.
"Even earlier, there were people like that. Those who comment, they didn't have a means to comment. But today, they have the means," said the actor.
Triptii Dimri, who stars alongside Madhuri in the upcoming Netflix movie "Maa Behen", echoed the actor's thoughts. "It's very easy to sit at home in your comfortable pyjamas and comment on people. But being in their shoes, those who have worked hard to achieve something, whether it's Ananya or Aishwarya ma'am, they both worked hard in their lives. They are achievers," she said.
Triptii, who has also been subjected to social media trolling for her performances and career choices, spoke about the anxiety that comes with putting one's work out in the public domain.
"You do feel anxious. You've done something. You've spent time, your efforts. Just like in school, after giving an exam, you would get anxious. So it's the same feeling. But of course, when it's about your work, whether it's good or bad, that is acceptable.
"It's the audience's right to comment on your work because they are paying to watch it. But when they connect it to something else, that's what irritates me," she said.
Film criticism has long been a part of the industry, Madhuri said, adding that today it is often used to generate content. While she finds the trend a "little irritating", Madhuri said it is simply the reality of the world today.
Madhuri and Triptii will be seen next in "Maa Behen", a dark comedy that also features influencer Dharna Durga and Ravi Kishan in pivotal roles. The film is set to be released on Netflix on June 4.