When Sonam Kapoor Was SLAMMED For Calling Aishwarya Rai 'Aunty'; Later Denied It
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In 2009, Sonam Kapoor called Aishwarya Rai 'aunty', causing outrage. Sonam defended it, citing Aishwarya's work with her father. Later, Sonam denied it.
In 2009, Sonam Kapoor said something about Aishwarya Rai that sparked widespread outrage among fans. In an interview, she referred to Aishwarya, then 36, as 'aunty" and reasoned it out by saying that the actor has worked with her father, Anil Kapoor. Her comment didn't sit well with Aishwarya's fans, and she was brutally trolled. After the backlash, Sonam denied making any such comment altogether and praised the Devdas actor.
Why did Sonam Kapoor call Aishwarya Rai 'aunty'?
It so happened that back in the day Aishwarya was replaced as the brand ambassador of a popular beauty brand by Sonam. Some reports stated that it was Aishwarya who had backed off, giving the opportunity to the Delhi 6 actor. When asked about it, Sonam referred to Aishwarya and called her 'aunty from another generation". This statement drew widespread flak.
Soon after, Sonam was asked about her 'aunty" remark. She defended her statement and said, 'Aish has worked with my dad so I have to call her aunty na!" She referred to Aishwarya co-starring with Anil Kapoor in films such as Taal, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, and others. That too, created trouble for the actor.
However, she soon went on deny that she would never call Aishwarya 'aunty". In another interview, Sonam said, 'It's all gossip. I never said any of that. I don't want to remark on it anymore. A lot has been printed and said and it's all turn into very untidy and filthy, and I don't wish to get into it anymore. I really respect Abhishek as a person and had one of my best experiences working in Delhi 6. Aishwarya Rai is Aishwarya Rai. I never said that. I would address her in a deferential way, but I would never call her aunty."
The Cannes drama
In spite of Sonam Kapoor offering an explanation, rumours floated that Aishwarya Rai was still hurt by her comment. Months later, both the actors were reportedly approached to represent a beauty brand together at Cannes – Aishwarya on a global scale and Sonam, for India. They were also asked to share the same stage together. However, buzz was that Aishwarya, still upset over Sonam's 'aunty" remark, had refused share the same stage with her. It also said that she put her foot down and declared that she would skipp the event altogether if the brand couldn't alter their request of placing her and Sonam together. Neither of the actors ever spoke about this.
Years passed and like every feud, this controversy faded away too. Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor have now buried old hatchets. How do we know? Well, the actor attended Sonam's wedding reception with Anand Ahuja in May 2018, proving that it's always better to leave the past in the past.
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New Indian Express
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Her 2025 appearance featured an ivory Kadwa Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra, paired with ruby heirloom jewelry from his High Jewelry line, with the saree alone estimated at ₹15-20 lakh ( $18,000-$24,000) and the jewelry potentially exceeding ₹1 crore ($120,000) due to its 500-carat ruby embellishments. A couple of great movies could be produced within the budget of her accessories. Deepika Padukone, another L'Oréal ambassador, has also prioritized Cannes' glamour over cinematic heft. Her roles in films like Padmaavat or Bajirao Mastani dazzle visually but predictably lack narrative depth, with critics noting their reliance on lavish sets over storytelling. In 2022, as a Cannes jury member, she wore a black and gold sequined Sabyasachi saree, estimated at ₹5-7 lakh ($6,000-$8,400), paired with statement jewelry from Sabyasachi's Bengal Royale Collection, valued at ₹10-15 lakh ($12,000-$18,000). 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The majority of its mainstream fare is dull and tediously formulaic: melodramatic family sagas, recycled romantic tropes, or action flicks where the hero or the heroine triumphs over loud evil characters in oiled wigs. All of it guarantees ennui. Since we are in a gender-neutral age, consider their Hollywood male cohorts like Brad Pitt or Leonardo De Caprio. Pitt produced 12 Years a Slave, and gave himself a small supporting role. He backed Moonlight and produced The Big Short—movies that tackle complex themes with nuance and ambition. Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions delivered The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Killers of the Flower Moon, projects that push boundaries in craft and narrative. These stars don't attend festivals just for clout; they're invested in cinema as an art form, using their influence to fund stories that challenge, provoke, or redefine the medium. When they appear at Cannes, it's often tied to a project with weight. 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Until then, their presence at Cannes will remain what it often feels like: a fashion show masquerading as a cinematic pilgrimage with little to show for it beyond Instagram reels and fleeting headlines on Page 3. (CP Surendran is a poet, novelist and screenplay writer whose latest novel is One Love and the Many Lives of Osip B. He can be reached at cpsurendran@ Views are personal.)
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