Indian media criticising Aishwarya Rai for not losing weight

[OZGOD]

Apparently she should be like Posh Spice and be back to a size zero a few months after having a baby.

'It is her duty to look good and fit': Bollywood star and former Miss World targeted over failure to lose post-pregnancy weight Sarfraz Manzoor May 17, 2012 - 2:11PM Aishwarya Rai is no stranger to Cannes. The Bollywood actor and former Miss World has attended the film festival 10 times, but her appearance on the red carpet next week is set to be her most talked about. The cause of a controversy raging in India lies not with her latest film - Rai is there to promote a cosmetic brand rather than a new movie - but instead, bewilderingly, with recent photographs which suggest that, six months after giving birth to a baby girl, Rai has yet to regain her pre-pregnancy figure. Many in India are asking whether the woman routinely referred to as the most beautiful in the world, and who occupies a place in Indian popular culture akin to Kate Middleton or Victoria Beckham, has an obligation to her fans to lose weight. The criticism of Rai's post-pregnancy figure has been fierce. "Aishwarya is like a goddess," said Showbusiness columnist Shobhaa De. "She is held up as the ideal of beauty and so there is an expectation on her to look perfect at all times." The image that sparked the storm in India showed Rai in the back of a car on her way to a party being thrown for the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon, where Ban is believed to have asked her to be the global face of the UN's girl child campaign. The Indian media, though, was less interested in the job offer than the fact that Rai looked like a 38-year-old woman who had recently given birth. One website posted a video, complete with elephant sound effects, entitled "Aishwarya Rai's shocking weight gain", which has been seen more than 500,000 times. "She is a Bollywood actress and it is her duty to look good and fit," suggested one commenter. Another added: "She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery." The criticism has started a debate about Bollywood's attitude towards women and motherhood. "There is a glorification of motherhood in India and Indian cinema," said cinema professor Shohini Ghosh. "But people are confused because they don't know whether to glorify Aishwarya in her new motherhood or lament that she is not looking like a runway model." India has long grappled with the question of what beauty means but in an age of global media - Indians are familiar with western celebrities and how quickly some of them appear to regain their pre-baby bodies. "The role models being held up are Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham," said De. "But our body frames are different - we have wider hips and curves - so this whole business of looking desperately skinny two weeks after giving birth is a western import." Model Miranda Kerr is often held up as an example in Australia, having walked the red carpet in a cut out dress five months after having her baby Flynn. In an interview at the time, Sydney pregnancy and post-natal fitness expert Rachel Livingstone said women who went into pregnancy fit and lean often lost weight faster. "I think the secret lies in that. [Kerr] did go in slim, fit, healthy, eating well - therefore she was going to recover faster," Ms Livingstone said. "I think the number one thing is to go into your pregnancy fit healthy and in an ideal body weight." Born on 1 November 1973 in Mangalore, Karnataka, in the south of India, Rai was the second child of a merchant navy officer. Her modelling career began while she was still at school; at 18 she won the Ford supermodel contest, which led to her being cast in a television advertisement for Pepsi. In the 1993 commercial - which also featured future Bollywood heart throb Aamir Khan - Rai appeared for only three seconds but her pouting cameo brought her national fame. The following year she won Miss World. "That contest is seen as a bit of a joke in the west but Rai winning really mattered to India," said Rachel Dwyer, professor of Indian cinema at the University of London. Rai then made the predictable move into acting, but with a surprising debut: Iruvar was a Tamil political thriller rather than a Bollywood blockbuster. She went on to star in more mainstream films such as Jeans, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and, most notably, Devdas, which brought her global attention. Unlike heroines from the 70s and 80s who were often healthily curvy, Rai's popularity rested on a body that was supermodel lean. "Most of the films she has appeared in - with a few exceptions - have been critically trashed," said film critic Mayank Shekhar. "Her prime talent - if not her only one - is that the west perceives hers to be the most beautiful face to have come out of India." "She is an icon because of her extreme beauty," said novelist Kishwar Desai, "and also because she has broken through to the international market and that means a lot to Indians." Julia Roberts, in a quote endlessly recycled but never substantiated, is reported to have described Rai as the most beautiful woman in the world and it was the interest from the United States - where Rai was invited to appear on both The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Late Show with David Letterman - and from Britain - where she starred in Bride and Prejudice - that made her Bollywood's biggest star. In 2003 she was invited to join the Cannes jury alongside Steven Soderbergh and Meg Ryan. The decision, critics suggested, was motivated more by marketing than qualification - a suspicion not entirely laid to rest by Rai's comment on arriving at Cannes: "I am here to learn." Shekhar said: "One has to make a distinction between her career as a public performer and as a film actress. Her career as a public performer is more successful than her film work." This public role included not only acting but also brand endorsements, charitable work and a high-profile marriage. Rai is said to earn more than £10m ($16 million) annually for endorsing such brands as Longines, Lux and L'Oreal - for whom she is appearing in Cannes. Alongside the commercial endorsements, she also lends her fame to social causes. She has committed to donating her green eyes to blindness charity Eye-Bank after her death. Last month it was announced that a school named after her is being built for girls in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh. She also stays in the headlines because of her eventful love life. Before her marriage she was in a relationship with actor Salman Khan, which ended acrimoniously with Rai releasing a press statement saying: "I have endured his alcoholism and misbehaviour, and I have been at the receiving end of his abuses - verbal, physical and emotional, infidelity and indignity." Khan later denied he had ever been violent with Rai. In 2007 she married another actor, Abhishek Bachchan, the son of Amitabh Bachchan, India's most loved film star. Human rights groups criticised Rai for promoting a Hindu tradition associated with the caste system by 'marrying' a tree ahead of the wedding - apparently to overcome astrological differences with her fiance. On the wedding day 300 policemen were stationed around their Mumbai home and one young woman, who claimed she was Bachchan Jr's former girlfriend, slit her wrists on the street outside and required 40 stitches. The wedding sealed Rai's admission into the Bachchan dynasty. "She had it all," said Desai. "Picture-perfect looks, winning Miss World and then marrying the most eligible bachelor in India by marrying into one of this country's most respected families: it is a fairytale life." The past career trajectory of female Bollywood actors has been downwards after they married and had children. From 50s star Nargis to Rai's mother in law Jaya Bhaduri, who largely retired after marrying Amitabh Bachchan, the assumption was that Indian audiences were not willing to accept as a screen heroine a woman known to be married and a mother. However, there are signs of progress: this month two other women - Madhuri Dixit Nene and Karisma Kapoor - are making film comebacks after having children. Rai's appearance at Cannes could, then, be an important cultural moment. "It could be a turning point in making us stop and review the absurd expectations we have of our female celebrities," said De. "The timing is right for us to start learning to accept women with a few more curves and appreciate that gorgeous women do age," said Desai. "But the question is would Aishwarya want to age gracefully in front of us and will we let her?" Guardian News & Media and smh.com.au Follow Life & Style on Twitter Follow Life & Style on Pinterest Follow Life & Style on Instagram @life_style_news This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beau...517-1ysg1.html

[Kwremb]

Marrying a tree? eek
And these are supposed to be the elites of Indian society

[Wasim1]

She kind of deserves it. These bollywood "actresses" get their jobs for one of two reasons: 1. Family connection eg Kapoors/Khans 2. Ex beauty queens.

Since she is an ex beauty queen and can act she is here cause of her looks. She should ensure she preserves them!

[kingusama92]

Looks quite bloated there.

The media always needs a topic to discuss. I don't think she owes anyone, anything. The only time anyone should complain is if she wanders back into acting.

This is when you can moan about her weight as that is a business all about aesthetic appeal.

[Itachi]

Originally Posted by Kwremb Marrying a tree? eek And these are supposed to be the elites of Indian society

This is a hindu tradition. A girl is married to a tree when she attains puberty.

Not that i agree with it but also not something i'l laugh about. As long as traditions doesn't harm anybody, what's the problem in allowing them? She probably didn't had it when she was young so she was told to do later.

And it is not related to caste system. The information is wrong here.

[Savak]

Well they do have a point. If American and other female western celebrities can look sharp, smart, slim after 1-2 months after pregnancy, whats Ash excuse? And its been 6 months now?

Careless subcontinent habits.

[Badsha]

Good on the media.


Seriously, she needs to lose weight. This is her job. The least she can do is look decent for my viewing pleasure.



Besides, I never found her good looking.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Itachi This is a hindu tradition. A girl is married to a tree when she attains puberty. .

Lol wut? you have no clue

[Itachi]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Lol wut? you have no clue

care to explain?

[RexRex]

She is public property now.The Indian government should force her to get a liposuction or tax her more.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Itachi care to explain?

Its nothing to do with puberty. People believe in astrology and Aish was manglik. Its believed that a manglik wife can cause her husband's death if the husband is not manglik himself. So people who believe this, get the manglik woman married to a tree first because then the evil effect will go to the first husband, the tree. Extremely stupid in this day and age but what can you do when such big celebrities like Amitabh condone such practices

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by Savak Well they do have a point. If American and other female western celebrities can look sharp, smart, slim after 1-2 months after pregnancy, whats Ash excuse? And its been 6 months now? Careless subcontinent habits.

Apparently it's body shape.

"The role models being held up are Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham," said De. "But our body frames are different - we have wider hips and curves - so this whole business of looking desperately skinny two weeks after giving birth is a western import."

[Itachi]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Its nothing to do with puberty. People believe in astrology and Aish was manglik. Its believed that a manglik wife can cause her husband's death if the husband is not manglik himself. So people who believe this, get the manglik woman married to a tree first because then the evil effect will go to the first husband, the tree. Extremely stupid in this day and age but what can you do when such big celebrities like Amitabh condone such practices

In Aish's case it was manglik. But in other cases, when a girl starts her menstruation cycle, in that time, a small wedding (called 'tulsi vivah' in some places) is done. This tulsi vivah is different from the original concept as here, the girl is married to a tulsi or banana tree. No man is allowed to see her for few days (even her brother and father). After that marriage, she is considered as 'woman' and not a 'girl'.

It may be stupid but my point was, if a ritual doesn't harm anybody, then an objection isn't justified.

[freelance_cricketer]

You can't really tell a person how to live life as long as he/she isn't harming yours. Aishwarya is a fine woman, she probably doesn't give two hoots now. There is nothing to prove. One of the most beautiful women ever in her prime and now a happy wife.

[Salma_T]

So what if she hasn't lost the weight, she isnt making movies at the moment why should she be a stick insect. It is obvious from her weight gain she has spent all her life (since miss world) on a diet so let her be.

I cannot believe it has made it to the daily mail!

Women cannot win the same papers mark sly remarks when a woman fits into her pre pregnancy jeans after a few weeks n as Ash has not lost (i think she has actually gained more weight since after the birth) she is being vilified.

(by the way I cannot stand her)

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Itachi It may be stupid but my point was, if a ritual doesn't harm anybody, then an objection isn't justified.

Thats a dangerous argument IMO. Superstitions in whatever form drag and keeps a society backards. You cannot just seperate harmless superstitions like marrying a tree from a malignant one like witch hunting. Both are born out of the same roots. A combination of superstition, tradition and lack of education. There are examples of when superstitions kept people from seeking medical help. There are examples when superstitions kept people from adopting a better, comfortable life-style

Of course I cannot comment on the religious views of others but useless rituals and customs should be completely rooted out of a scoiety and the lead should be taken by the celebreties

[Itachi]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Thats a dangerous argument IMO. Superstitions in whatever form drag and keeps a society backards. You cannot just seperate harmless superstitions like marrying a tree from a malignant one like witch hunting. Both are born out of the same roots. A combination of superstition, tradition and lack of education. There are examples of when superstitions kept people from seeking medical help. There are examples when superstitions kept people from adopting a better, comfortable life-style Of course I cannot comment on the religious views of others but useless rituals and customs should be completely rooted out of a scoiety and the lead should be taken by the celebreties

What you implied is even more dangerous due to one reason.

Let's take an example. For non hindus, worshipping a stone is stupidity. But hindus worship them as symbol for god. Although majority of non hindus won't interfer on this.

The same can be said here. If you say something is stupid, the question comes, for you it is stupidity but for others it may not. The key words here is, 'Is it affecting society'? If the answer is yes, then it should be get rid off. If no, then leave it aside and let the people practice whatever they want. Forcing them to accept the above principle will be another example of intolerance.

That's why I believe, as long as the rituals doesn't harm anybody, let it be that way.

[nish_mate]

Ash looking like a porker!!!

Must be all the desi ghee ke ladoos!!!

BTW have the paternity tests been done on Beti B ?

[Eagle_Eye]

Originally Posted by nish_mate Ash looking like a porker!!! Must be all the desi ghee ke ladoos!!! BTW have the paternity tests been done on Beti B ?

What are you implying?

[Bashira_taeli]

Originally Posted by Savak Well they do have a point. If American and other female western celebrities can look sharp, smart, slim after 1-2 months after pregnancy, whats Ash excuse? And its been 6 months now? Careless subcontinent habits.

why are you so pissed...lol

[nish_mate]

Originally Posted by Eagle_Eye [/B] What are you implying?

The fact that AB Sr has over shadowed more than just AB Jr's career and onscreen achievements.

Not for nothing he's the BIG B!

[Itachi]

Originally Posted by nish_mate Ash looking like a porker!!! Must be all the desi ghee ke ladoos!!! BTW have the paternity tests been done on Beti B ?

ha ha ha ha....

[IgnitedMind]

yeah, media is been over her for last 2 to 3 months..

They should leave her alone!!!!!!

May be she has dieted and controlled what she ate her whole life and now wants to eat freely....


but generally speaking, Desi women do not loose weight and neither do they try to loose weight after a baby....

I think I started a thread about this a while ago

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/sh...d.php?t=147976

[pinger]

Originally Posted by Savak Well they do have a point. If American and other female western celebrities can look sharp, smart, slim after 1-2 months after pregnancy, whats Ash excuse? And its been 6 months now? Careless subcontinent habits.

Exactly, if she wants to be a real celebrity she needs to get on the Hollywood post-baby celebrity diet- cocaine.




Only then can she blather on about exercise and eating right.

[khalil1986]

Her life she can live it how she wants.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Stunning sexist crap from the Indian media. So many male film stars have been overweight yet they are loved and honoured. Get with the 21st century you dinosaurs!

[IgnitedMind]

^^^^^
Its more like the Indian Tabloid media which is the same way every where..... I do not see much reporting from the main media....may be you will find an article or two if Google searched!!!

More than Sexist...they should leave her alone...she has been fit for 20 odd yrs..she is 40 yrs old..and now probably she wants to eat which she never did ..or probably its just from pregnancy and she is 40 yrs now..not easy to loose weight....whatever the reason is ..they should leave her alone..its none of anybody's bussiness....

I also think few Indians are over reacting to it because Aishwarya in one way is the face of bollywood to the western world and they want her to look good....just a week back I saw a hollywood celebrity naming her one of her top 5 beautifull women in the world...

[Badsha]

Originally Posted by Cpt. Rishwat Stunning sexist crap from the Indian media. So many male film stars have been overweight yet they are loved and honoured. Get with the 21st century you dinosaurs!

The 21st century is that if you're earning millions based on how you look. You better look good.

[Salma_T]

Originally Posted by Badsha The 21st century is that if you're earning millions based on how you look. You better look good.

but she isnt in a movie now leave her alone

[ahsan17]

I wonder how Abhishek must feel. He's probably experiencing what all married men have to experience.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Itachi What you implied is even more dangerous due to one reason. Let's take an example. For non hindus, worshipping a stone is stupidity. But hindus worship them as symbol for god. Although majority of non hindus won't interfer on this. The same can be said here. If you say something is stupid, the question comes, for you it is stupidity but for others it may not. The key words here is, 'Is it affecting society'? If the answer is yes, then it should be get rid off. If no, then leave it aside and let the people practice whatever they want. Forcing them to accept the above principle will be another example of intolerance. That's why I believe, as long as the rituals doesn't harm anybody, let it be that way.

See, I do not say that the change should come by force. I dont want the goverment to pass laws against superstitions. But society as a whole should be more progressive and gently encourage rational thinking and frown wherever they see superstition. When celebrities endorse such rituals, thats when things look bleak

[Vegitto1]

1 know one man who is laughing his head off and thanking God...actually 2

[Inswinger]

[vcool80]

Originally Posted by ahsan17 I wonder how Abhishek must feel. He's probably experiencing what all married men have to experience.

such an innocent thought? they don't have to worry about that I suppose.

[mithun_minhas]

Aishwarya Rai to me has always been overrated.

She is beautiful. No Question about it. But to say that she is the most beautiful women on this planet is ridiculous. Only Indian media does it. At least in my opinion, I don't think she is the most beautiful women on earth.

Anyways, coming to her becoming over weight, I don't think common man cares. Its only the useless Soup media that tries to make a news out of nothing. Aishwarya Rai must be close to 40 and waay past her prime.

[cricketjoshila]

Shobha de of all people,i stopped reading after that.

[IgnitedMind]

Dazzling Aishwarya Rai Bachchan lives up to 'world's most beautiful woman' title at Cannes after cruel critics slam baby weight

She may have been criticised in her native India for not losing her baby weight fast enough, but Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looked nothing short of dazzling at the AmfAR Cinema Against Aids gala in Cannes last night. Baby weight or not, the Bollywood actress, 38, lived up to her title of 'the worlds most beautiful woman' in a gold embroidered sari and co-ordinating tailored jacket with Mandarin collar. Her hair was piled high on her head and adorned with a slender gold band, while her make-up was understated save the dark eyeliner around her eyes. The former Miss World, who is married to Abhishek Bachchan, the son of one of India's best-loved stars, gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in November last year. She found international fame in the Hollywood film Bride and Prejudice, and Julia Roberts billed her as the world's most beautiful woman. But an unfortunate recent photograph that captured her with a double chin, sparked a flurry of cruel criticism, with some suggesting that she has a 'duty' to her fans to regain her pre-pregnancy figure. One website posted a video of the star looking less than her usual svelte self, flicking between photographs of her pre-birth, and photos now. Called 'Aishwarya Rai's shocking weight gain', the clip, which came accompanied by elephant sound effects, has been seen more than 500,000 times. Dozens more videos in a similar vein have been posted, each with viewing figures in the tens or hundreds of thousands. Comments left after the video prove that many of those watching have little sympathy for the star. 'She is a Bollywood actress and it is her duty to look good and fit,' one said. Another added: 'She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery.' Mrs Rai-Bachchan has commendably remained cool-headed about the criticism, and has been open about the fact that she is in no hurry to lose the few extra pounds she gained during her pregnancy. She has said that she simply wants to 'enjoy motherhood'. Indeed, if last night's appearance at Cannes is anything to go by, she has little to worry about. Nor is she short of support in her goal to prioritise her new daughter. Though there is certainly more critique than praise, many have come out in defence of the star, saying that she, like any new mother, should be focusing on her infant, not her diet. One wrote: 'She is a real women looking after a baby. We should be concern [sic] for her health and happiness especially if she is nursing the baby.' Another said. 'Kudos to you Aish for keeping it real and letting your baby have all the bonding and attention she needs with you. Enjoy your life.' Media commentators in India have said that expectations placed on the country's most famous stars are impossibly high. Cinema professor Shohini Ghosh told the New York Daily News: 'There is a glorification of motherhood in India and Indian cinema. 'But people are confused because they don't know whether to glorify Aishwarya in her new motherhood or lament that she is not looking like a runway model.' Showbusiness columnist Shobhaa Dé added: 'She is held up as the ideal of beauty and so there is an expectation on her to look perfect at all times.' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...=feeds-newsxml

Aishwarya Rai at Cannes Film Festival Today, The stupid India Media and Shoba De can sleep now..

Ash Looks ravishing... kudos to her after media and every body teared her apart after the double chin picture. as if it was a national issue...

[ElRaja]

celebrity oriented news consistantly works on destroying the idea of healthy female bodies.

whilst the ideal male physique for a model is a healthy athletic strong build, somehow the ideal female model physique became unhealthy, underweight and quite unattractive.

women are meant to have curves, its time popular culture promoted that.

[mithun_minhas]

Originally Posted by ElRaja celebrity oriented news consistantly works on destroying the idea of healthy female bodies. whilst the ideal male physique for a model is a healthy athletic strong build, somehow the ideal female model physique became unhealthy, underweight and quite unattractive. women are meant to have curves, its time popular culture promoted that.

Agreed.

I would prefer a Plus Size model(No belly ) with curves over a stick sickly looking figure.

[oyei]

"It is like a Tsunami you do not see it coming, they become an Aunty"




between, she is the most annoying and irritating Indian celebrity ever.

[Lachrymose]

Wow, she looks very different from before, especially her face. Too be honest, she doesn't look so bad, but I think she will work hard on her fitness now that she's heard enough criticism!

[ahsan17]

Originally Posted by navroks123 Dazzling Aishwarya Rai Bachchan lives up to 'world's most beautiful woman' title at Cannes after cruel critics slam baby weight Aishwarya Rai at Cannes Film Festival Today, The stupid India Media and Shoba De can sleep now.. Ash Looks ravishing... kudos to her after media and every body teared her apart after the double chin picture. as if it was a national issue...

Are you sure you're not drunk?

[IgnitedMind]

Originally Posted by ahsan17 Are you sure you're not drunk?

^^^^ that was daily mail's title.....

[Savak]

Never really rated Ash, she does have attitude issues and is always busy going overboard cozying to the West.

[QazzarFan]

Wow an Aussie opening a thread on an Indian celebrity, Pakistanis standing up for an Indian celebrity, Indians criticizing their own media hypocrisies....if this is not World Peace then what is?

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by mithun_minhas Aishwarya Rai to me has always been overrated. She is beautiful. No Question about it. But to say that she is the most beautiful women on this planet is ridiculous. Only Indian media does it. At least in my opinion, I don't think she is the most beautiful women on earth. Anyways, coming to her becoming over weight, I don't think common man cares. Its only the useless Soup media that tries to make a news out of nothing. Aishwarya Rai must be close to 40 and waay past her prime.

You are wrong. i dont think she is all that good looking either, but its mostly western media who hypes her up and calls her most bautiful. Current Indian media is obsessed with Katrina

[Salma_T]

who according to some isnt even half indian?

[Diplomat]

So now australians have also started finding information about India!
Nice post OZGOD!

[Kwremb]

I hate her, find her very manipulative and irritating. Dated Salman & Vivek Obroi then an arranged marriage with the so called biggest film family in India

[akheR]

Originally Posted by Salma_T who according to some isnt even half indian?

Why would she "lie" ? Googled and find a picture of her father (Kashmiri)

[Salma_T]

I said "according to some" she isn't Indian.