Aishwarya Rai’s postpartum body shaming sparks Renuka Shahane’s outburst: "Kehar hogaya hai, itna judgement...

Aishwarya Rai has faced her share of harsh comments over the years, especially after she welcomed her daughter Aaradhya in 2011. From her post-pregnancy weight to every step she took on the Cannes red carpet, the actor often became the target of online judgement. Now, Renuka Shahane has spoken up about how deeply unfair that phase was, and why the conversation around Aishwarya needs a reset.

“Celebrate Her Work, Not Police Her Body”

In a recent conversation with Zoom, Renuka recalled the wave of criticism Aishwarya faced right after embracing motherhood. She said it still surprises her how quickly social media reduces a woman’s achievements to her size or style choices. For her, the bigger picture is Aishwarya’s consistency. The actor has represented India on global platforms for years, and yet much of the chatter revolves around what she wore or how she looked. Renuka felt people forgot she had just entered a new chapter of life and deserved kindness, not judgement.

"She has been the brand ambassador for the company for years and she is representing us year in, out. And all we can think of is 'Oh isme ye pehna toh ye thik nahi tha. Oh no!' Please mat kariye ye If you don't have anything nice to say, just shut your mouth.”

- Renuka Shahane

The Pressure of Social Media and Postpartum Expectations

Renuka also spoke about how the rise of social media has made life tougher for actors, especially women. Every picture is dissected, every outfit analysed, and every change in appearance turns into unnecessary noise. She pointed out that once a woman becomes a mother, there’s an unfair expectation to bounce back instantly, as if nothing changed. In her words, the constant pressure and criticism can be overwhelming, and it’s time people became more mindful of the impact of their comments.

Abhishek Bachchan Had Defended Aishwarya Then

When Aishwarya was trolled for her postpartum weight, Abhishek Bachchan had stepped forward to defend her dignity. He had called the remarks insensitive and reminded people that being a public figure doesn’t mean losing the right to basic respect. He urged everyone to remember Aishwarya was not just an actor but also a new mother, and no woman should be spoken about in that manner.

On the work front, Renuka Shahane recently appeared in the Marathi film Devmanus, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in Ponniyin Selvan II.