The 'Most Ideal Celebrity Mother' in Bollywood has been criticized for her post-pregnancy weight gain.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan gave birth to Beti B on Nov. 16 and since then the actress is in news for her silverscreen comeback plan and her weight gain. The actress recently gained much criticism for post-baby body by her fans after a photograph of her with double chin appeared online.
The bollywood actress who gave birth to her first daughter gained weight like many other mothers. And it seems that after six months of giving birth, the actress is in no hurry to lose her "oodles of weight." Aishwarya also defended herself saying that she wants to "enjoy motherhood."
But film fans, on blogs and in entertainment columns have slammed her for not losing baby-weight fast enough, with many people arguing that it's her "duty to look good and fit."
In an example of the harsh criticism, one website posted a video of the actress titled "Aishwarya Rai's shocking weight gain," shows her pre- and post-baby photos with elephant sound effects in the background. The video has been viewed more than 120,000 times since it got uploaded.
Several people have commented on the video supporting and criticizing the actress.
"She is a Bollywood actress and it is her duty to look good and fit," one commented.
"What is so shocking about that??? Is she the 1st women in planet earth who just gave birth?stop this nonsense!!..when pregnant n after delivery...EVERY WOMEN puts on weight!!" a second comment read.
Aishwarya's post-pregnancy weight gain has now opened up a debate in the country.
Shobhaa De, showbusiness columnist, opened up to the New York Daily News about the criticism Rai is facing.
"Aishwarya is like a goddess. She is held up as the ideal of beauty and so there is an expectation on her to look perfect at all times," De told the paper. "The role models being held up are Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham . . .this whole business of looking desperately skinny two weeks after giving birth is a Western import."
While fans and other people are criticizing the actress, some people, however, came out in her defence, saying that she is like any new mother who is focusing on her daughter and not on her diet.
The actress has also received support from other fellow actors within the industry. Actress Lara Dutta, who gave birth to daughter Saira in January, has slammed the media for criticizing Aishwarya's appearance. At a recent event, the actress expressed anger on the fuss being created by media over Aishwarya's weight gain.
"You have no right to pass comments on women like Aishwarya, who have gone through a hard time during pregnancy. I stayed away from putting weight because of yoga during my pregnancy, but that's my personal choice which may not be the case with Ash. So, please refrain from getting judgmental. Respect the private life of Ash as a mother, who has every right to look however she wants," Lara told reporters during the event.
