Bollywood singer Rahul Vaidya has publicly backed actress Alia Bhatt after she became the target of widespread social media trolling following her red carpet appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. Vaidya's defence came after a video of Alia walking the Cannes red carpet went viral and drew sharp criticism from a section of Indian social media users.

What Triggered the Backlash

The controversy began when a clip of Alia Bhatt confidently walking the Cannes red carpet circulated widely online. A section of Indian users began mocking the actress, alleging she was not receiving sufficient attention or recognition from international photographers and media at the prestigious global event. The criticism quickly snowballed across platforms.

What Rahul Vaidya Said

Reacting sharply to the online pile-on, Rahul Vaidya posted a multi-part message on his social media accounts. 'Funny how people sitting with zero achievements become fashion critics, Cannes analysts, and global PR experts overnight,' he wrote.

'At least Alia Bhatt is out there representing India on one of the biggest global platforms, looking absolutely stunning, owning her space, and making her presence felt,' he added. Vaidya also took aim at media portals, writing: 'The obsession some portals have with tearing successful women down for clicks is honestly embarrassing now. Negativity gets views, but talent, hard work, and grace always outlive cheap headlines.'

He concluded: 'She looked beautiful. She IS a huge star. And most importantly, she's talented enough to not need validation from Instagram comment sections. Maybe instead of constantly trying to humble successful people, learn to appreciate Indians shining globally.'

Aly Goni's Earlier Support

Vaidya's post followed a similar statement by actor Aly Goni, a close friend of Vaidya, who had extended his support to Alia the previous day. 'It's sad when our own people try to pull down someone who has worked so hard to put India on the global stage,' Goni wrote. 'Alia Bhatt has reached places many only dream of, representing our country at Cannes with grace and pride. Instead of mocking and trolling, we should celebrate and support those who make India shine internationally. We rise higher when we uplift our own, not when we try to demean them.'

Alia Bhatt at Cannes 2025

Alia Bhatt has been among the prominent Indian celebrities attending the Cannes Film Festival this year, drawing attention for her red carpet looks. Her appearances have generated both admiration and, in some quarters, the kind of scrutiny that frequently accompanies high-profile Indian women on international stages. This is not the first time a Bollywood actor's Cannes outing has sparked debate about the nature and extent of global recognition — a recurring flashpoint in conversations about India's standing in world cinema.

With both Vaidya and Goni lending their voices, the pushback against the trolling has itself drawn significant attention, reflecting a broader ongoing debate about how Indian celebrities are treated when they represent the country abroad.