From Patralekhaa to Aishwarya Rai: How Bollywood actresses faced postpartum body-shaming

Rajkumar Rao's wife and Bollywood actress Patralekhaa recently criticized paparazzi after a video of her circulated online with the caption, “What’s happened to her?” following the birth of her child. Responding strongly, she explained that her body changes are a natural part of childbirth.

A video of her getting out of the car and walking inside the building for the premiere of Toaster starring Rajkumar Rao and Sanya Malhotra and produced by Patralekhaa herself, went viral, where she has put on weight after giving birth to her daughter Parvati Paul Rao in November 15, 2025. After papz criticized her looks, she reacted on her Instagram account.

Patralekhaa Insta StoryInstagram/patralekhaa

“What’s happened to me!? is that I have just given birth! Yes I have gained the weight, which seems like an unnatural phenomenon to you all,” she wrote.

She added, “I have not sat and eaten a mountain, I just delivered a baby and produced two films simultaneously which are not easy jobs. If I could I would not be this way. But that’s how my body has reacted to pregnancy. For God’s sake please learn to be a little kind.”

Her response sparked wider conversations about postpartum body-shaming and public scrutiny.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai poses as she arrives for the screening of the film "Cosmopolis" presented in competition at the 65th Cannes film festival on May 25, 2012 in Cannes. Getty Images

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan faced intense scrutiny after the birth of her daughter in 2011. Her appearance at Cannes 2012 drew widespread attention, with media focusing heavily on her weight gain rather than her achievements.

She was subjected to ongoing commentary about her body despite being widely regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Neha Dhupia

Indian Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia poses for photographs during a shooting of the reality talk show 'Vogue BFFs' season 3 in Mumbai on April 11, 2019. Getty Images

Neha Dhupia also faced criticism after gaining weight following her pregnancies. She revealed that she gained over 23 kg and felt judged as a public figure.

Responding to trolls, she said, “23 Kg badh gaya to jaan le lo meri,” questioning why weight gain after childbirth was treated so harshly.

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Indian Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan showcases a creation by designer Anita Dongre at the Grand Finale of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2017 in Mumbai on February 5, 2017. Getty Images

Kareena Kapoor Khan was targeted online less than a year after giving birth to her son in 2016. Social media users criticized her for having “fat legs” and a “double chin.”

She faced ongoing comments about not losing weight quickly enough, reflecting the pressure on new mothers to return to pre-pregnancy bodies.

These incidents highlight how actresses, including Patralekhaa, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Neha Dhupia, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, have faced body-shaming after pregnancy, bringing attention to societal expectations and the need for empathy toward new mothers.