Alia Bhatt Faces Backlash for ‘Empty’ Bag at Gucci Event

Alia Bhatt, who made her Met Gala debut earlier this month, was just designated the Italian luxury fashion firm Gucci’s first Indian global brand. On Tuesday, May 16, the actress wore a tiny black dress with a cutout design to the Gucci Cruise 2024 presentation at Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The Gucci Jackie 1961 translucent purse she was carrying at the fashion event, however, drew the most attention. In the comments section of Vogue India’s Instagram image, netizens mocked the actress for carrying an ’empty’ bag. While one commenter stated, “The bag is empty, so why is Alia carrying it?” Another stated, “The purse is meant to hold at least a few things!”

Other netizens spoke up in Alia’s defense, praising her for making India proud at the global event. One person remarked, “There is a reason India never rises as a country: Indians,” while another said, “For the people commenting that the bag is empty, bro, you can’t afford to hold it too.”

Meanwhile, Alia will be seen next in Karan Johar’s romance comedy Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, alongside her Gully Boy co-star Ranveer Singh. The Dharma Productions picture, which is set to be released on July 28, also includes veteran actors Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan in crucial parts.

This year, she will also make her Hollywood debut in the spy action thriller film Heart Of Stone, alongside Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot and Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan. The Tom Harper-directed film will be available on Netflix on August 11.