Alia Bhatt made headlines with her grand debut at Paris Fashion Week 2024, an event that saw the convergence of top-tier talents from the entertainment and fashion industries. The ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ actress shared snapshots of her memorable time at the prestigious event on Instagram, capturing the attention of fans and fashion enthusiasts alike. However, amidst the applause for her stunning appearance, Bhatt found herself ensnared in an unexpected controversy, with a segment of netizens accusing her of cropping out another Bollywood icon, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, from her Instagram post.
The controversy erupted when Alia Bhatt posted a series of photographs from Paris Fashion Week 2024 on her Instagram account. Alia was seen flaunting her intricate and daring outfit by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta, an ensemble that featured a metal-cast silver breastplate adorned with the elegant figure of a swan and the menacing body of a serpent, paired with black flared sharara trousers. The look was inspired by Gupta’s ‘Aaronaham’ collection which debut during Paris Couture Week, Spring-Summer 2024.
The ensemble showcased not just the craftsmanship of Gaurav Gupta but also stood as a testament to the rising presence of Indian fashion on the global stage. Speaking about her outfit, Alia Bhatt said, “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 honor to wear this masterpiece and to represent India’s burgeoning fashion force to the world.”
However, the celebratory mood turned contentious when some Instagram users noticed an apparent omission in Alia’s posts. They pointed out that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who also graced the same ramp, was conspicuously missing from Alia’s shared images. Comments started pouring in with one user questioning, “Why did you crop your inspiration pic on the 2nd slide?” Another user went further, accusing Alia of jealousy, stating, “How jealous one can be… cropping the OG Aishwarya out of her posts.
. You can never match Aishwarya. Puppy in front of her.”
As the speculation intensified, Reddit users stepped in to clarify the misunderstanding. They pointed out that the images shared by Alia were sourced from Getty Images, a fact that corroborated that Alia had not personally edited or cropped the photos. In fact, one of the images posted by Alia did include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, alongside other prominent figures such as Kendall Jenner and Simone Ashley. A Reddit user elaborated, “Getty Images posted these photos. Alia didn’t crop anyone. Other L’Oréal ambassadors posted the same pic as Alia did, so are they jealous of Aish?”
Despite the online kerfuffle, Alia Bhatt chose to stay above the fray, letting her work and fashion statement speak for themselves. The Paris Fashion Week spotlight was a significant achievement for her, not only enhancing her global profile but also serving as a platform to elevate Indian designs in the international arena.
Moving beyond the immediate uproar, Alia’s professional journey continues with several exciting projects lined up. She will next be seen in the film ‘Jigra’, where she shares the screen with Vedang Raina, under the direction of Vasan Bala. Further ahead, she is also set to headline Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s eagerly anticipated film ‘Love and War’, which features an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. Additionally, Bhatt will star in another high-octane film titled ‘Alpha’, directed by Shiv Rawail, which will see her playing a super agent alongside Sharvari.
This flurry of projects underscores Alia Bhatt’s relentless work ethic and diverse acting capabilities, reaffirming her status as one of Bollywood’s most versatile and dynamic performers. While the recent controversy adds an unnecessary wrinkle to her Paris Fashion Week triumph, Alia Bhatt’s star continues to shine brightly in the constellation of global entertainment and fashion.
Alia Bhatt’s debut at Paris Fashion Week not only marked a personal milestone but also brought international acclaim to Indian fashion, underscoring the country’s creative prowess on a global platform. Even as the social media saga unfolds, fans and fashion aficionados around the world eagerly anticipate her next steps both on and off the screen.
