Bollywood actor Radhikka Madan has spoken out against the intense pressure women face to conform to changing beauty standards, expressing support for Katrina Kaif amid criticism of her appearance following childbirth.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Madan recalled her own experience with body-shaming in the film industry. She said she was criticised after gaining around 15 kilograms for her role in Pataakha and was told she was “too fat” to become a heroine.
Madan explained that she subsequently tried to lose the weight while working on films including Shiddat and Angrezi Medium. However, the constant pressure to change her appearance began affecting her health.
“I kept losing weight and shooting back-to-back, and fully became like bones. It started affecting my health, so I took a break,” she recalled.
The actor said her experience made her realise that trying to satisfy other people’s expectations was an endless cycle. At one point, she was considered too heavy, while later she was criticised for being too thin.
Madan said she eventually chose to focus on feeling healthy rather than pursuing a particular body size. She argued that people’s opinions become less important when a person develops confidence and focuses on their own wellbeing.
Pressure on women to meet unrealistic beauty standards
Madan also highlighted the impact that social media, popular culture and traditional beauty ideals can have on young girls. She said society often presents a narrow image of what a “perfect woman” should look like, leaving those who do not fit that image feeling inadequate.
According to Madan, such conditioning can begin in childhood, when girls repeatedly see limited representations of beauty in magazines, media and popular culture.
She encouraged people to accept their individuality instead of constantly seeking validation from others.
“Find your own quirks,” Madan said, explaining that she had grown up with a positive sense of self that helped her remain comfortable with her appearance.
Her comments come amid public scrutiny of Katrina Kaif’s postpartum appearance, with Madan’s remarks drawing attention to the wider issue of body-shaming and the expectations placed on women’s bodies after pregnancy and childbirth.
