Alia Bhatt, Bollywood’s rising star, became the center of an unexpected controversy during her stunning debut at Paris Fashion Week 2024. Renowned for her roles in films like ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi,’ Alia recently took to Instagram to share a series of glamorous images from the prestigious event. However, what was intended to showcase her moment of triumph instead sparked a heated debate among netizens, who accused her of deliberately cropping out fellow Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from her posts.
Alia Bhatt’s presence at Paris Fashion Week was nothing short of captivating. She graced the runway with poise, wearing an extraordinary creation by designer Gaurav Gupta. The ensemble featured a metal-cast silver breastplate intricately adorned with a swan’s head and wings, seamlessly interwoven with the body of a serpent, paired with black flared sharara trousers. This look was a variation of the iconic corset first seen in Gaurav Gupta’s ‘Aaronaham’ collection at Paris Couture Week, Spring-Summer ’24.
Expressing her elation, Alia shared, “Wearing Gaurav Gupta’s creation on the global stage of Paris Fashion Week with L’Oreal Paris is not just a privilege, it’s a proud assertion of Indian excellence. For me, fashion is an extension of my art, a narrative that transcends borders. This creation tells the story of women who are fiercely feminine and unabashedly powerful. It’s my honour to wear this masterpiece and to represent India’s burgeoning fashion force to the world.”
However, amidst the praise and glamour, Alia’s post invited unexpected scrutiny. A segment of social media users suggested that by sharing selective images, Alia had intentionally excluded Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, another Bollywood diva who also walked the ramp at the event. Speculation ran rampant, with one user commenting, “Why did you crop your inspiration pic on the 2nd slide?” Another added, “How jealous one can be… cropping the OG Aishwarya out of her posts. You can never match Aishwarya. Puppy in front of her.
.”
Quickly, this contention extended over to Reddit, where discussions began dissecting the images and intentions behind them. Redditors came to Alia’s defense, pointing to the fact that the images were sourced from Getty Images. They highlighted that not just Alia, but other L’Oreal ambassadors posted similar pictures, posing the rhetorical question, “Are they jealous of Aish too?”
One Reddit post said, “Getty images posted these photos. Alia didn’t crop anyone. Other L’Oreal ambassadors posted the same pic as Alia did. So, are they jealous of Aish?”
Indeed, Alia’s post did include an image featuring Aishwarya, seen alongside Kendall Jenner, Simone Ashley, and other notable personalities. The controversy, therefore, seemed misplaced, with the larger context of a photo shoot and event being overlooked by an eager section of the audience.
In the world of glitz and glamour, perceptions and narratives can often be manipulated, leading to premature judgments and unfounded criticism. Alia Bhatt’s experience at Paris Fashion Week is a testament to this dichotomy—adorned in accolades yet embroiled in an online skirmish.
Moving past the digital uproar, Alia continues to focus on her flourishing career. She has an exciting slate of projects lined up. Next, she will be seen in ‘Jigra,’ where she will star alongside Vedang Raina under the direction of Vasan Bala. The film community is also abuzz about her upcoming movie ‘Love and War,’ directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which features Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. Additionally, Alia is gearing up for ‘Alpha,’ a high-octane film where she will share the screen with Sharvari, both playing super agents under the direction of Shiv Rawail.
As Alia Bhatt continues to bask in her Paris Fashion Week acclaim and prepares for future cinematic endeavors, the incident underscores the fragile nature of public perception. Amidst superficial snapshots and hastily drawn conclusions, the reality often tells a more complex story. Alia’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of how the glitz of the runway can sometimes be overshadowed by the shadows of online scrutiny. Yet, with resilience and grace, she strides forward, embodying the fierce femininity and unapologetic power that her fashion choices so eloquently narrate.
