Aishwarya Lekshmi on Outfit Controversy: ‘Is Culture Only About a Woman’s Clothes?’

Actor Aishwarya Lekshmi has spoken about the controversy surrounding her outfit at a jewellery exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram earlier this year. The incident, which took place in May, attracted attention online after photographs from the event circulated on social media and prompted criticism from some users.

In a recent conversation with Ranjini Haridas, Aishwarya explained that her discomfort was not related to the outfit she had chosen but to what she described as the way some photographers were taking her pictures.

Aishwarya Lekshmi Says Photographers Made Her Uncomfortable

Reflecting on the incident, Aishwarya said she felt uncomfortable because some photographers appeared to be more interested in capturing her from angles she considered inappropriate than photographing her face.

“The photographers at the event were not focused on my face. They were more interested in taking photographs from inappropriate angles.”

The actor said the experience affected her body language and made her feel that her personal boundaries had been crossed.

According to Aishwarya, discomfort in such situations can naturally change the way a person carries themselves, making it important to consider the circumstances rather than judging photographs in isolation.

‘Is Culture Only About a Woman’s Clothes?’

Aishwarya also questioned the criticism directed at her outfit after the photographs appeared online.

The actor stressed that she was comfortable with what she had chosen to wear and did not consider her clothing the source of the problem. Instead, she questioned why discussions about a woman’s appearance often take precedence over questions about behaviour and respect.

“People asked me, ‘If you were uncomfortable, why did you wear such an outfit?’ Is culture only about a woman’s clothes? Don’t we also have to look at culture in the way we behave?”

She further pointed out what she sees as a double standard in conversations surrounding women in public spaces. According to the actor, women are frequently expected to regulate their clothing and appearance, while inappropriate remarks or behaviour directed at them may receive comparatively less scrutiny.

Aishwarya Says the Outfit Debate Became Bigger Than Expected

Aishwarya revealed that she initially tried to ignore the criticism and move on from the incident. However, she was surprised when the conversation continued and developed into a broader debate about her clothing.

The actor questioned why so much public attention can be devoted to what a woman wears while other social and economic concerns receive less discussion.

“There is no time for people to talk about the country’s GDP growth or parents being abandoned in old-age homes. But everyone seems to have time to talk about a woman’s clothes.”

Her comments have shifted the conversation back towards issues of personal boundaries, privacy and the treatment of women in public spaces.

Aishwarya Lekshmi’s Work in Malayalam and Tamil Cinema

Aishwarya Lekshmi has built a career across both Malayalam and Tamil cinema. Her filmography includes projects such as Gatta Kusthi, King of Kotha, Ponniyin Selvan and Kumari.

She has continued to move between the two industries, taking on roles across different genres. Her recent projects include the Tamil film Gatta Kusthi 2 and the Malayalam release Aasha.