Soni Razdan Defends Alia Bhatt Amidst Cannes Trolling

Soni Razdan has addressed the online controversy surrounding her daughter Alia Bhatt's recent appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2026. The discussion erupted after a brief red-carpet clip went viral, with internet users interpreting a moment as Alia being ignored by international media. This led to days of online discourse and criticism.

Razdan commented on a social media post defending Alia, stating that social media often reflects societal issues. Writer Shunali Khullar Shroff argued in her post that the backlash said more about public attitudes towards a successful female celebrity than Alia's reception at the festival. Shroff pointed out the chaotic nature of Cannes red carpets and how a single distracted camera angle was magnified into a narrative of national humiliation.

Shunali highlighted the irony that Alia, a prominent Indian actor and L'Oréal Paris ambassador attending Cannes for the second consecutive year, was subjected to such scrutiny. Alia herself responded to the trolling with a witty remark, stating, "Why pity love? You noticed me :)". She is currently awaiting the release of her upcoming films, YRF's Alpha and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War.