Nearly a year after becoming a mother, actor Katrina Kaif has spoken out against societal pressure for women to quickly erase the physical signs of pregnancy. In a recent interview with Vogue India, Kaif emphasized that motherhood represents a meaningful progression in her life rather than something to be undone.
Kaif and her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, welcomed their son Vihaan in November 2025, following what she described as a four-year journey for the couple. Reflecting on her post-pregnancy life, Kaif said she intends to regain her energy and fitness at her own pace, questioning the notion of a "comeback body" after childbirth. “I have taken a step ahead to something that was a deep desire in my heart, so why would I want to go back?” she stated.
The conversation around Kaif's post-partum appearance intensified after she and Kaushal were seen together at the Ambani family’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai in September. While many fans welcomed the couple’s public appearance, some social media users scrutinized Kaif’s weight and circulating side-by-side photos comparing her pre- and post-pregnancy figures prompted further commentary. Kaif acknowledged seeing the online discussion but rejected letting it influence her during this phase, asserting that people are well aware of the physical realities of childbirth and suggesting that passing judgment remains a personal choice.
The response to the criticism extended beyond Kaif’s own remarks, with several figures from the entertainment industry voicing support. Salman Khan addressed the issue on a recent episode of Bigg Boss 20’s Weekend Ka Vaar, condemning trolls who target new mothers for post-pregnancy weight gain. Although he did not directly name Kaif, his comments were widely interpreted as a defense of his longtime friend and co-star. Khan reminded viewers that weight gain after childbirth is a natural part of the process and urged them to refrain from commenting negatively on women’s bodies.
From neighboring Pakistan, singer and actor Ali Zafar, who co-starred with Kaif in the 2011 film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, posted a video addressing the men who circulate such criticisms. Zafar questioned the expectation that women conform to externally imposed beauty standards and expressed regret over his past judgments based on appearances. He advocated for allowing women to live on their own terms without undue scrutiny.
Other voices joined the conversation, including actors Parineeti Chopra and Shivaleeka Oberoi, who condemned the comments as uneducated and reminded the public that physical changes are an inherent part of motherhood. Even Vivek Oberoi, often publicly at odds with Salman Khan, aligned with Khan’s stance on this issue.
The criticism also prompted an apology from Pakistani radio jockey Dr. Ejaz Waris, who faced backlash for remarks targeting Kaif’s post-pregnancy body.
Kaif’s stance and the ensuing industry support highlight ongoing debates about body image and societal expectations for women, especially in the public eye, following childbirth.