Aishwarya Rai has taken a firm stand against street harassment, calling on women to stop blaming themselves for behaviour that is never their responsibility. The actor shared her thoughts as part of L’Oréal Paris’ Stand Up training program an initiative she has supported for years. A video from the campaign, posted on Instagram, shows Aishwarya speaking directly about how women should respond to harassment in public spaces.
Discussing the common advice women are often given, Aishwarya rejected the idea of looking down or avoiding eye contact. Instead, she encouraged confidence and self-assurance. “Street harassment. How do you deal with it?” she asks in the video, before answering her own question: “Avoid eye contact? No. Look the problem directly in the eyes. Hold your head high.” She continued, “Feminine and feminist, my body, my worth. Don’t compromise your worth. Don’t blame your dress or your lipstick. Street harassment is never your fault.”
Her message immediately resonated online. Social media users praised the actor for addressing a topic that affects many but is often brushed aside. Comments highlighted both the courage behind the campaign and the importance of encouraging young women to speak up. One user wrote, “Street harassment is so real and not spoken about enough. Love this,” while another added, “A powerful reminder for young girls and women everywhere.”
Aishwarya, last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2, continues to use her platform to address issues that matter, blending her global influence with social advocacy.
