Opinion: Can we stop asking if Alia Bhatt is pregnant? Let’s talk about her body of work, not her womb

Why Alia Bhatt’s recent Cannes appearance reignited sexism—and why we need to move past it

Last updated:
Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor
2 MIN READ
British actress Alia Bhatt arrives for the screening of the film "The Mastermind" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 23, 2025.
British actress Alia Bhatt arrives for the screening of the film "The Mastermind" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 23, 2025.
AFP-SAMEER AL-DOUMY

Dubai: Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt walked the red carpet at Cannes 2025 looking radiant, poised, and every bit the global star she has grown into.

But instead of focusing on her accomplishments or her much-hyped collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love & War, the online chatter zeroed in on a visible curve in her midsection. Within minutes, the question was everywhere: “Is she pregnant again?”

This knee-jerk obsession with a woman’s body—particularly her stomach—is reductive, invasive, and frankly, exhausting. A slight pooch becomes breaking news. A loose silhouette becomes a clue. And suddenly, her creative achievements take a backseat to baseless pregnancy rumours fueled by grainy screenshots and wild speculation on Reddit and Instagram.

It’s 2025. How is this still happening?

This isn't just about Alia Bhatt. Hollywood A-listers like Jennifer Aniston have spoken up against this exact culture. In a powerful 2016 op-ed for The Huffington Post, Aniston wrote, “For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up.” She nailed it then, and it still holds true today.

The constant policing of women’s bodies—especially public figures—sends a dangerous message: no matter how successful, talented, or intelligent you are, society will still reduce you to whether or not you look “fertile.” Whether you’re carrying a baby, carrying weight, or simply bloated, it’s all fair game for speculation.

Why does a woman’s worth still hinge on motherhood, or the perceived potential of it? When male actors gain weight for roles or age naturally, they’re praised for their dedication or maturity. When women do the same—or simply exist in their bodies—they’re hounded by whispers of pregnancy or assumptions of personal crisis.

It needs to stop.

Let’s shift the conversation. Let’s talk about Alia Bhatt’s choice to collaborate with Bhansali again, the narrative power of Love & War, or her remarkable trajectory from teen icon to global ambassador. Let’s celebrate her artistry, not interrogate her anatomy.

Actors are not walking wombs. They are storytellers. Let’s critique their body of work, not their bodies.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha RadhakrishnanEntertainment Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next