Swara Bhaskar has hit back at trolls who targeted her for her post-pregnancy weight gain, calling the criticism she’s faced since becoming a mother “weird”.The actress recently shared a throwback picture from 2018, which attracted body-shaming comments online. In response, Swara posted a collage featuring the old picture along with a picture of her holding her daughter Raabiya, choosing to address the trolling head-on.Calling out the scrutiny of her body, she wrote: “This is a hill I’ll die over and over again! The rage and anger I’ve found in recent years because my body has changed after giving birth and refusing to lose weight on strangers’ timelines on the internet… it’s weird!”
“I chose not to back down”
Taking a firm stand against unrealistic expectations, Swara emphasized that physical changes after childbirth are natural and not something to apologize for.“Ever since I had my baby (2.5 years ago now) I chose NOT to Bounce. Once you have a baby, it’s not on your back because you’re a parent for the rest of your life… Life changes fundamentally and that’s okay,” she shared.She adds that while many women may miss their pre-pregnancy selves, forcing their bodies to adapt to past versions can be harmful. “Sure, we miss our old life, our young, free version, our slimmer, tighter bodies, but to mindlessly continue to idealize our thinner selves, to force our bodies to regress or fit into versions of your past that have disappeared here and there, is a form of cruelty. Our bodies have created, carried, nurtured, and nurtured another human being. Of course they will change and that’s okay!!!!! This constant pressure to look desirable for the camera or the internet or strangers, this constant shaming of women for carrying postpartum weight, for not losing judgment of women or not wanting to lose weight, is both unintelligent and sickening,” she said.
‘It’s nobody’s business’
Swara also addressed the constant pressure on women to look a certain way, especially after childbirth, and the tendency to equate looks with value.“It’s nobody’s business. Women should live their lives the way they want. And no, this is not an argument against fitness. Or an argument against health. This is an argument to honor our bodies and to stop forcing ourselves to stay in the boxes we’ve passed. Life is a journey that goes on. It’s good to give this grace to our bodies too”, she clarified, without giving up her position, emphasizing that option. The actress concluded that her professional skills have nothing to do with her physical appearance, making it clear that conventional beauty standards do not define her profession.“PS and “but you’re an actor” group weight and acting ability have zero correlation.. Not falling for good looks are essential to the acting trap. They’re not. Craft and ability are important to be a good actor. The best actors this country has ever produced were never good looking! I said what I said.#LeaveMothersAlone”
