Aishwarya Rai talks about 'street harassment' in new video, says, "don’t blame your dress or your lipstick"

Aishwarya Rai talks about 'street harassment' in new video, says, "don’t blame your dress or your lipstick"

Aishwarya Rai has stepped into the conversation around women’s safety with uncommon clarity and force. In a new campaign video for L’Oréal Paris’ Stand Up training programme, the actor addresses the issue of street harassment head-on and urges women to reclaim their confidence instead of internalising blame. The video has travelled quickly across social media, precisely because the message is both uncomfortable and overdue.

In the clip, Aishwarya opens with a pointed question: "How do you deal with street harassment?" She then cuts through years of conditioned responses that tell women to look away, stay quiet or shrink themselves. Her counter-message is crisp and uncompromising. She reminds viewers that confidence is not arrogance but self-respect, and that no woman should ever feel responsible for the harassment she experiences.

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The Stand Up initiative was created to teach people how to intervene safely when they witness harassment in public spaces. Aishwarya has been associated with the brand for more than a decade, but this video stands out for its directness. She brings a certain gravity to the subject, without softening the reality of what countless women face every single day.

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Her core statement in the video leaves little room for misinterpretation: "Avoid eye contact? No. Look the problem directly in the eyes. Hold your head high. Feminine and feminist—my body, my worth. Never compromise your worth. Do not doubt yourself. Stand up for your worth. Don’t blame your dress or your lipstick. Street harassment is never your fault." The way she frames it makes the issue personal and communal at once. It is a call to awareness, but also a restorative reminder for women who have been taught to second-guess themselves.

Online reactions have been strong and largely appreciative. Viewers described the video as honest, needed and empowering. Comments ranged from "Street harassment is so real and not spoken about enough. Love this," to "A powerful reminder and important message for young girls and women everywhere." Others echoed similar sentiments: "Great motivation, girlsss," "Great message, my queen," and "Someone had to talk about this."

Alongside her advocacy, Aishwarya continues to maintain her momentum as an actor. Her last role in Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 (2023) earned her critical praise and the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Critics) award at SIIMA, following the film’s Rs 344 crore global run. Even Abhishek Bachchan publicly called it her "best work till date."