When Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Schooled David Letterman on Indian Family Values

A 2005 clip of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on The Late Show with David Letterman has resurfaced, reminding viewers how deftly the actor dismantled a cultural stereotype on U.S. prime-time television. Promoting Bride & Prejudice, Rai was asked if she still lived with her parents and whether that was “common in India.” Without missing a beat, she replied: “It’s fine to live with your parents—because in India we don’t need appointments to have dinner with them.” The studio erupted in applause, and Letterman moved on.

Nearly two decades later, social media is celebrating the exchange as a masterclass in poise and cultural pride, hailing Rai as an enduring ambassador for India. The actor, last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2, has long been praised for balancing global stardom with unapologetic advocacy of her roots.
*This news has been published on Times of India on 11th June 2025