Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai has forcefully spoken out against street harassment, asserting that the blame and burden of the issue should never fall upon the woman, her attire, or her choices.
Standing Up for Women’s Worth
The actor raised her voice as part of the L’Oréal Paris’ Stand Up training program, a brand she has been associated with for over a decade. In a video shared on social media, Aishwarya urged people to confront the problem directly and reject conventional victim-blaming advice.
Aishwarya’s key message challenges women to adopt a different approach:
- Avoid Eye Contact? No. She stated, “Look the problem directly in the eyes. Hold your head high.”
- Feminine and Feminist. She continued, “My body, my worth. Never compromise your worth. Do not doubt yourself. Stand up for your worth.”
- Reject Blame. She concluded with the powerful statement: “Don’t blame your dress or your lipstick. Street harassment is never your fault.”
Public Reaction and Applaud
Social media users widely applauded Aishwarya for highlighting the issue, which many acknowledged is frequently experienced but rarely addressed openly. Comments flooded in, praising the message as a “powerful reminder and important message for young girls and women everywhere.”
Aishwarya Rai’s Recent Work
Aishwarya Rai was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s 2023 epic historical action drama, Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning ₹344.63 crore worldwide.
Her performance earned her the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Critics) award at the South Indian International Movie Awards. Her husband, actor Abhishek Bachchan, called her portrayal her “best work till date.”