Did Aishwarya Rai drop ‘Bachchan’ from her name?

Despite the rumours, neither Aishwarya nor Abhishek has addressed the status of their marriage.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s recent appearance at the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai has reignited speculation about her relationship with husband Abhishek Bachchan, as the actress was introduced at the event without the “Bachchan” surname.

The acclaimed actor and former Miss World delivered a keynote address at the prestigious event, but the decision to refer to her solely as Aishwarya Rai has sparked widespread speculation regarding her relationship with her husband, actor Abhishek Bachchan.

Images and videos from the event quickly made their way across social media platforms, prompting discussions among fans and observers. Many questioned whether the exclusion of the Bachchan surname was indicative of a change in her marital status.

However, Aishwarya’s Instagram username remains unchanged.

Photo: ScreenGrab

Social media users praised her confidence, with comments like, “She is getting back in her power shoes,” and, “She is THE Aishwarya Rai… No other surname suits her.” Many highlighted her independence, while others expressed excitement, saying, “Happy to see her back in action, way to go.”

Photo: ScreenGrab

Amitabh Bachchan recently addressed the persistent rumours surrounding the marriage of his son, Abhishek Bachchan, and daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai, through a cryptic blog post. He criticised the circulation of unverified information, highlighting the harm caused by such speculation and reaffirmed his commitment to keeping family matters private.

Speculation about Abhishek and Aishwarya’s relationship has been ongoing, further fuelled by their separate arrivals at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding, as well as Abhishek’s social media activity, including his interaction with a post discussing “grey divorces.”

Despite the rumours, neither Abhishek nor Aishwarya has publicly commented on their relationship status. Meanwhile, Abhishek’s bond with Nimrat Kaur, his Dasvi co-star, has also drawn attention, with their on-screen and promotional chemistry sparking curiosity.

Aishwarya Rai recently celebrated her daughter Aaradhya’s 13th birthday with heartfelt tributes, coinciding with the anniversary of her late father. However, the absence of her husband, Abhishek Bachchan, from the celebrations and photos sparked renewed speculation about their relationship.

Despite the rumours, neither Aishwarya nor Abhishek has addressed the status of their marriage, maintaining their usual privacy. The pair, married since 2007, share one daughter, Aaradhya, born in 2011.

Adding to the intrigue is Abhishek’s relationship with actress Nimrat Kaur, his co-star in Dasvi (2022). Their on-screen chemistry and playful interactions during promotions raised curiosity. In one interview, Nimrat jokingly remarked on the longevity of marriages, to which Abhishek responded with laughter.