Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Elle magazine cover 'skin-whitening' scandal

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Elle magazine cover 'skin-whitening' scandal: Fans of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were alternate staggered final week following the performer's skin seemed to have been digitally lightened on the blanket of a brand new issue of Elle magazine.

Now the 37 year old Bollywood star, who is broadly accepted to be the globe's by and large wonderful lady, is stated to be regarding suing the Indian variant of the title over what has been considered 'racist artificially glamorizing'. The character herself has not remarked on the scenario, but associates of the Bride and Prejudice star have stated she is 'incensed'.

'Aishwarya's first reaction was disbelief,' said one. 'She believed that these things don't happen anymore. Not in this day and age when women are recognised for their merit, and not for the colour of their skin. 'She is currently verifying this skin-whitening allegation. If there is any proof of this, she might even take action.'

Another adder: 'She is clearly the global face of the contemporary Indian woman. The last thing she'd want is to have a global image coloured by a racial suggestion.'

Neither Elle magazine or Mrs Bachan were available for comment today. The actress, a former Miss World who is married to fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan, is thought to be too preoccupied by her father, who is ill, to look into the matter further.

Fans of Mrs Bachchan were the first to notice that her skin was several shades lighter than usual, and were quick to view concerns on social networking sites such as Twitter. One wrote: ‘It’s ­annoying because it seems like lighter skin is always in fashion as if darker skin is ­something to be frowned upon.’

This is not the first time Elle magazine has come under fire over such airbrushing, and this latest storm echoes one sparked by a cover of the U.S. edition earlier this year. In September, black actress Gabourey Sidibe appeared on the cover of the title with a noticeably paler complexion.

On that occasion Elle claimed it had not altered the Precious star’s skin any more than that of the other models ­photographed alongside her.

Editor-in-chief Robbie Myers dismissed the suggestion of racism, explaining: 'At a photo shoot, in a studio, that is a fashion shoot, that's glamorous, the lighting is different. The photography is different than a red carpet shot from a paparazzi.'

Skin lightening is a controversial issue in India and those with a lighter complexion are often perceived to be more successful and wealthy. Skin-lightening products aimed at young men and women now form a multi-million-pound industry.