BOllywood actor Katrina Kaif has responded to the criticism surrounding her postpartum appearance, saying she is in no hurry to return to her pre-pregnancy physique to satisfy public expectations. The actor, who welcomed her first child with husband Vicky Kaushal last year, said she was embracing motherhood and would approach her fitness journey at her own pace.
Katrina faced body-shaming comments on social media after attending the Ambani family's Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with Vicky in September 2026. Her appearance at the event prompted remarks about her weight, with some users scrutinizing the physical changes she had undergone following childbirth.
Months after the incident, the actor addressed the criticism in an interview with Vogue India, questioning why women continue to face pressure to regain their previous appearance soon after giving birth. Rather than allowing online opinions to affect her, Katrina said she was concentrating on her family and the new chapter in her life.
Katrina Kaif responds to postpartum body-shaming
Speaking about the criticism, Katrina pointed out that the physical changes women experience during and after pregnancy are widely understood, making the negative reactions particularly disappointing.
“We live in a world that wants to blow us around in the ever-changing winds of opinions,” she said.
“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,” Katrina said.
The actor made it clear that she did not intend to let public scrutiny determine how she should look or how quickly she should regain her fitness. Instead, she emphasized the importance of accepting the changes that come with motherhood.
Katrina questions expectations
Katrina also challenged the widely used idea of women needing to 'bounce back' after childbirth, questioning why motherhood should be viewed as something from which a woman must recover to her former self.
“Bounce back? From where?” she asked.
“I have taken a step ahead to something that was a deep desire in my heart, so why would I want to go back?” the actor said.
Reflecting on the birth of her son, Katrina described the emotional significance of becoming a mother after a difficult personal journey.
“So why would I want to go back? 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 tumultuous journey for me and Vicky had led to this.”
While acknowledging that physical fitness remains important to her, Katrina said she was not setting deadlines for herself or attempting to meet the expectations of others.
“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.
Her remarks also reflected her views on self-worth, a subject she has spoken about recently, particularly in the context of public judgment and the pressures faced by women.
Katrina Kaif praises Vicky Kaushal as a father
During the interview, Katrina also spoke about her relationship with Vicky Kaushal and how their lives have changed since becoming parents.
She praised Vicky for making time for her son despite his demanding filming schedules, saying his ability to remain attentive to his family was something she deeply appreciated.
“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,” she said.
Katrina acknowledged that their routines as a couple had changed considerably after welcoming Vihaan. Activities such as romantic dinners and watching films together have become less frequent as they adjust to parenthood.
However, she said Vicky often reassures her that they will eventually find time to enjoy those moments together again.
Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal's journey to parenthood
Katrina and Vicky welcomed their son, Vihaan, on November 7, 2025, nearly four years after their wedding.
The couple tied the knot on December 9, 2021, in an intimate ceremony at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan. Their wedding was attended by close friends and family members.
Since the birth of their son, Katrina has largely focused on her personal life, occasionally sharing glimpses of her experiences as a new mother.
Katrina Kaif's upcoming projects
On the professional front, Katrina was last seen in Sriram Raghavan's 'Merry Christmas', which was released in January 2024. The thriller featured her opposite Vijay Sethupathi.
The actor made her Bollywood debut with 'Boom' and subsequently appeared in several commercially successful films, including 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?', 'Partner', 'Welcome', 'Singh Is Kinng', 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan', 'Bang Bang', 'Phantom' and 'Phone Bhoot'.
Katrina has yet to announce her next major film project.