Aishwarya Rai recently attended the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai, where her address on women’s empowerment earned widespread praise. However, it wasn’t just her speech that became the talk of the town. Observers noticed that she was introduced at the event simply as “Aishwarya Rai,” without the surname Bachchan, leading to a fresh wave of speculation about her personal life. 


A screenshot from the event, shared on Reddit, showed Aishwarya standing against a backdrop that identified her as “Aishwarya Rai – International Star.” The post sparked curiosity, with the caption reading, “Has Aishwarya dropped the Bachchan from her name?” 






Netizens speculate about Aishwarya dropping 'Bachchan' from her name


This subtle change set off a frenzy of theories, with some fans convinced it was a deliberate decision tied to ongoing rumours about her separation from Abhishek Bachchan. One user commented, “She looks so much lighter and genuinely happy, as if she’s free from a heavy burden.” Another chimed in, “She’s always been the Aishwarya Rai. The Bachchan name never mattered to her legacy. She looked flawless at the event—hair, makeup, everything on point!” 






Others, however, dismissed the idea that this reflected a personal choice, suggesting it might have been a mistake by the organisers. “Probably an oversight by someone designing the event graphics. They must be panicking now,” said one Redditor. Another added, “Her Instagram still carries her full name. Until that changes, there’s no point jumping to conclusions.” 


Despite the online buzz, Aishwarya continues to use “Rai Bachchan” on her social media profiles, offering no confirmation or denial of the rumours. 


Also read: Redditors Think Aishwarya Rai Has Strained Relationship With Her Sister-In-Law Shrima Rai. Here's Why


Aishwarya-Abhishek rift speculations


Talk of a rift between Aishwarya and Abhishek has been circulating for months. Earlier this year, she and her daughter Aaradhya attended Anant Ambani-Radhika Mechant’s wedding separately from the rest of the Bachchan family. The rumours were further fueled when the Bachchans refrained from publicly wishing Aishwarya on her birthday, November 1. Both Aishwarya and the Bachchan family have chosen to remain silent on the matter. 


Also read: Abhishek Bachchan Praises Wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Amid Divorce Rumour: 'I Thank Her Immensely'