Says she will prioritise motherhood, regain fitness at her own pace amid criticism of her post-pregnancy appearance
Actor Katrina Kaif has challenged the expectation that women should quickly return to their pre-pregnancy bodies, saying she wants to focus on motherhood and her future rather than public scrutiny of her appearance.
In an interview with Vogue India, Kaif pushed back against the pressure to “bounce back” after childbirth, stressing that she intends to approach her fitness journey at her own pace.
“Bounce back? From where?” the actor said, questioning the expectation that women should return to their pre-pregnancy bodies. “I have taken a step ahead to something that was a deep desire in my heart, so why would I want to go back?”
According to Vogue India, Kaif faced online body-shaming after appearing at the Ambanis’ celebrations in September, less than a year after giving birth. Social media users criticised her appearance, reigniting discussion about the expectations placed on women following childbirth.
Responding to the criticism, Kaif said, “We live in a world that wants to blow us around in the ever-changing winds of opinions.” She argued that people could not use a lack of awareness about the physical changes associated with childbirth to justify their judgements.
“I think most people are aware of what a woman’s body goes through after giving birth. And if they still choose to view that body through a harsh lens, it’s a personal choice. It can’t be blamed on a lack of information, because there is so much information out there. I just want to focus on this lovely part of my life and where I’m headed,” she told Vogue India.
For Kaif, the experience of becoming a mother has brought a new perspective to her life. She recalled the emotions of meeting her son, Vihaan, for the first time, describing the moment as the culmination of a long journey with her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal.
“The first few days after I gave birth, it was an indescribable feeling to see Vihaan’s face and know that four years of a journey for me and Vicky had led to this,” she said.
Although she remains conscious of her health and fitness, Kaif said she would not rush her recovery to meet public expectations. “I am very aware of my fitness journey and where my body feels at its most energetic. I will reach there at my own pace,” she said.
The actor also discussed the challenge of balancing her professional commitments with her responsibilities as a mother, wife and entrepreneur. Alongside her acting career, she runs her beauty brand, Kay Beauty, and said learning to manage her different roles has become a new challenge.
“What I am now trying to learn is how to balance being an actor, an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister. That’s a harder dance to master,” she said.
Kaif also praised Kaushal for his support and involvement as a father, describing him as a partner who brings wisdom, integrity and strong family values to their relationship.
“Vicky is an incredible husband. He is wise beyond his years, has strong family values and a true sense of integrity. I would say Vicky is wise in practice, and I am wise in theory,” she said.
She added that one of his greatest strengths was giving her the space to be herself while remaining attentive to the family’s needs.
“As a father, he’s been amazing. He has this incredible superpower to be 100 per cent present in the moment with Vihaan and me, even when he is tired and has been working 14, 16 or 18 hours a day,” Kaif told Vogue India.
Beyond motherhood and family life, Kaif spoke about her continued interest in acting and her involvement with Kay Beauty, saying she remained closely engaged with the development of the brand’s products.
Although she has no immediate plans to return to films, the actor indicated that she would like to explore a different kind of role when she eventually returns to the screen. “I think I’d make a great Maleficent,” she said, expressing an interest in playing a villain.
The Vogue India cover story also revisited Kaif’s career, from her popular dance numbers to the work she put into developing her acting and dancing skills. The interview highlighted her determination to focus on her craft while navigating the scrutiny that comes with being a public figure.
For now, Kaif appears content to prioritise her family and personal well-being rather than respond to expectations about her appearance or career timeline.
