Aishwarya Rai's drastic weight gain sparks debate

The shape which Aishwarya Rai is in five months after her pregnancy has generated unusual public interest with the Bachchan bahu coming in for some criticism for the "oodles of weight" gained by the actress. But some celebrities who have been associated with the 38-year-old Bollywood star including Designer Sabyasachi defended her, saying that like any other woman the new mother would definitely take some time to shed pregnancy weight.

The trigger for the reactions came following the publication of some pictures of the former Miss World while emerging out of a party hosted by eminent industrialist Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai last week. Married to Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya gave birth to her first baby, a daughter, on November 16, 2011.

The pictures set off a buzz on the internet and in the social media with articles, videos, blogs and tweets highlighting her "oodles of weight", "double chin" and calling the photos of the beauty queen "shocking".
Aishwarya looked a lot slimmer at the press conference conducted by the Bachchans at their residence, Jalsa, immediately after the baby's arrival. But in recent photographs, Bollywood watchers say it seems as if she is heavier by five to six kilos.

"Focus on Aishwarya's post preg weight gain pathetic. Glad she's not a celeb bimbo who's wheeled in2 plastic surgery straight frm labour room," said one Twitter user, while another wrote, "Reports in some parts of the media about Aishwarya's weight gain are vile and irresponsible. Let the woman be."

"Utterly gross & sexist commentary in sections of the media on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Makes me sick with anger at how we deconstruct women," said another tweet.