From the luminous red-carpets of Cannes to the quiet corridors of home, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has long walked a path few traverse — that of a star, a mother, a wife, and a woman unbothered by insecurities. In a recent conversation at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025, Aishwarya peeled back the layers to reveal what truly guides her — and spoiler: it isn’t fear, it isn’t self-doubt — it’s clarity, conviction and love. 

A declaration: “I don’t get insecure”

Standing tall and poised at the festival, Aishwarya declared with quiet strength, “I don’t get insecure. That’s a real aspect of who I am.” She explained that insecurity — that gnawing undercurrent many feel in a world obsessed with optics, opinions and expectations — has never steered her choices. Instead, she said, her decisions have always been guided by clarity and conviction. 

She went on to reflect on her journey from her early days — after winning Miss World 1994 and stepping into films with Iruvar — to today, emphasizing that she never allowed the noise of external voices to define her path. 

Choosing Art Over Glamour: Why she picked “Chokher Bali” after “Devdas”

One of the most telling examples of this conviction surfaced when Aishwarya recalled her decision to act in the film Chokher Bali — right after the huge success of the opulent Devdas. Many expected her to ride the momentum with another grand, glittering Bollywood project. Instead, she opted for Chokher Bali, a Bengali film with a powerful story. Her explanation was simple: it moved her. She said, “What a beautiful story — that’s the movie I want to do.” 

For her, acting has never been about fame, flamboyance or ticking boxes. It’s always been about truth, artistry, and stories that resonate — even if that meant stepping away from the spotlight or public expectations.

Motherhood & Family: Time with Aaradhya Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan

But perhaps where Aishwarya’s strength feels most real is at home — in the soft, unfiltered spaces of motherhood and marriage. Over the years, she’s often spoken about how she prioritises everyday moments with her daughter, Aaradhya, believing in giving her a grounding unaffected by glamour or celebrity trappings. 

Once, she addressed the misconception around celebrity kids and “armies of help”: she said she purposely chose to have only one nanny, and that she spends most of her time herself being with Aaradhya. “Life is always busy,” she admitted. 

On social media presence too, she’s minimal, almost shy. But that, she insists, is a conscious choice — not a retreat. “I’m a quiet rebel there,” she mused, refusing to chase validation from likes or comments. 

Rejection of public insecurity — embracing self-belief

In a world where comparisons, judgements and noise are constant, it’s rare to find someone — especially in the public eye — who claims immunity from insecurity. Aishwarya does. But she doesn’t frame it as arrogance. Instead, she frames it as self-knowledge. She acknowledged the temptation: external voices, tabloid rumours, whispers of judgement — all of it can try to get into one’s head. Yet, for her, that noise has never dictated her destiny.

This, she suggests, isn’t gifted; it’s chosen. Through self-awareness, through standing firm in her values, she created a life that balances art, love and peace.

A portrait of a modern woman rooted in traditional strength

What draws people to Aishwarya isn’t just her beauty or her fame — it’s that mix. The grace of a global icon, the grounded heart of a mother, the silent strength of a woman who refuses to be shaken by insecurity. She’s old-school in values, new-age in confidence. In a world that often demands you hustle and hustle, she reminds you: sometimes, believing in yourself — quietly, calmly, steadfastly — is the strongest statement you can make.

In her own words and life, she shows that you don’t need to crave validation or trembling self-doubt to succeed. You just need conviction. And maybe, a little bit of love.