Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan's post pregnancy weight gain has triggered a public debate, with many criticising the beauty queen for not taking her 'weight issue seriously'.

The shape which Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is in, five months after her pregnancy, has generated unusual public interest with the Bachchan bahu facing some criticism for the "oodles of weight" gained by the actress.

But people who have been associated with the 38-year-old Bollywood star including designer Sabyasachi defended her, saying that like any other woman, the new mother would definitely take some time to shed the pregnancy weight.

The trigger for the reactions came following the publication of some pictures of the former Miss World while emerging out of a party hosted by eminent industrialist Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai last week.

The pictures set off a buzz on the internet and in the social media with articles, videos, blogs and tweets highlighting her "oodles of weight", "double chin" and calling the photos of the beauty queen "shocking".

Some social media writeups suggested that the star is not taking her weight gain seriously. However, some blogs and tweets too have come out in Aishwarya's defence with comments that the focus on her post-pregnancy weight gain.

A video compilation of her recent photos attracted comments like: "She is a Bollywood actress and being a part of showbiz it is her duty to look good and fit. Till now she has been praised for her beauty, so it is only fair that she should also be criticized if she is not able to live up to it. She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery! She needs to lose that weight... its been close to 5 months already!"

On the other hand, there are many who believe that five months is not enough time to shed weight and that the comments on her figure are "harsh".

PTI