In 2009, a comment by Sonam Kapoor about Aishwarya Rai sparked a major controversy that had fans divided and tabloids buzzing. At the heart of the issue was Sonam allegedly referring to the then 36-year-old Aishwarya as “aunty” a remark that triggered backlash and accusations of age-shaming.
The ‘Aunty’ Remark That Stirred Up Drama
During a promotional interview, Sonam was asked about replacing Aishwarya Rai as the face of a popular beauty brand. Referring to Aishwarya’s earlier collaborations with her father, Anil Kapoor, Sonam quipped, “Aish has worked with my dad so I have to call her aunty na!” The statement didn’t sit well with Aishwarya’s fans, many of whom called out Sonam for being disrespectful. The internet erupted with trolls and memes, and netizens pointed out the double standards in Sonam’s logic especially since she had worked with other actors of Aishwarya’s generation, including Salman Khan and Bobby Deol.
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Denials, Defenses, and Damage Control
Soon after the outrage, Sonam tried to do damage control. In one interview, she outright denied ever calling Aishwarya ‘aunty’, calling the entire fiasco “gossip” and “filthy.” She clarified, “I would address her in a deferential way, but I would never call her aunty.” However, this back-and-forth left fans confused, with many believing Sonam was backtracking after the criticism.
Fallout and Cold Vibes
The controversy reportedly created a rift between the two actresses. When both were roped in by the same beauty brand Aishwarya for the global campaign and Sonam for India rumors circulated that Aishwarya refused to share the stage with Sonam due to the past comment. Sources claimed Aishwarya threatened to skip the event if the brand didn’t change the arrangement.
A Peaceful Ending
Despite the initial drama, the feud seemed to have cooled off with time. In 2018, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended Sonam Kapoor’s wedding reception with husband Abhishek Bachchan, indicating that bygones were indeed bygones. Though the ‘aunty’ comment still resurfaces online occasionally, it appears that both stars have chosen to leave the past behind.
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Conclusion
The Sonam-Aishwarya controversy remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about feuds, rooted in a single offhand remark. But time—and a little grace—has helped the two move on, showing that even Bollywood’s biggest tiffs can have a happy ending.
