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 the new mother would 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. 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 “double chin” and calling the photos “shocking”. The photos attracted comments like: “Till now she has been praised for her beauty, so it is only fair that she should also be criticised if she is not able to live up to it.” On the other hand, there are many who believe that five months is not enough time to shed weight. Aishwarya looked slimmer at the press conference conducted by the Bachchans at their residence immediately after the baby’s arrival. But in recent photographs, it seems as if she is heavier by five to six kilos. Designer Rina Dhaka says that a new mother gains weight especially when she is taking care of her baby. Even blogs and tweets have come out in Aishwarya’s defence. One Twitter user wrote, “Reports about Aishwarya’s weight gain are vile and irresponsible. Let the woman be.”
