Bipasha Basu addresses postpartum body shaming and career risks

Actress Bipasha Basu has spoken out about the unrealistic beauty standards and body shaming faced by women after childbirth. In an interview with Elle India, she described the pressure on mothers to quickly return to their pre-pregnancy physiques as “quite bizarre,” noting that women are often expected to maintain the appearance of their twenties even when they are in their forties.

Basu revealed that she experienced “major, major trolling” following the birth of her daughter, Devi, with husband Karan Singh Grover. She also criticized paparazzi for taking what she described as “really bizarre pictures” of her during her postpartum period. She emphasized that the physical and emotional changes of motherhood are often ignored by a public that expects women to “bounce back” immediately.

In a separate reflection on her career, Basu recalled the industry warnings she received prior to starring in the 2003 erotic thriller Jism. At the time, colleagues advised her against the role, suggesting it would end her career. Basu chose to proceed, viewing the project as an adult love story rather than a career-ending risk.