Bollywood actress Sameera Reddy has always been outspoken about her struggles with mental health and all the negativity that came her way due to the weight gain post the birth of her son.
Her latest interview reveals that even strangers feel entitled to comment on people’s bodies. Be it a vegetable seller’s comment on the changes in her physical appearance or a security guard saying, “Madam, aap bahut badal chuke ho,” body shaming has clearly reached pandemic proportions.
Credit: Instagram/reddysameera
Sameera Reddy recalls a security guard commenting on her body
In an interview with Hindustan Times, the Race actress shares, “Forget about my postpartum weight… that was long back. A while ago, I was at the airport where the security guard, on checking my Aadhar card, commented, ‘Madam, aap bahut badal chuke ho, it (being body shamed) is not about postpartum, but it is everywhere.”
Credit: Instagram/reddysameera
While we know Sameera as a confident, self-assured and an outspoken woman, it took her a long time to come to terms with the changes in her body and people’s unhinged comments about the same. She confesses that she has stopped feeling bad about it now, but things were hard after she had her son.
“People think it’s their birthright to comment on a woman’s body”
“That was the first time I experienced the harsh reality of our society, especially in India. Everyone wanted to have an opinion and wanted to voice it loud. Basically, they think it’s their birthright (to comment on a woman’s body). We all go through it,” shares Sameera.
Credit: Instagram/reddysameera
She adds that people need to remember that giving birth is a miracle and that people need to be kinder, especially to a new mother.
“All body types are different, and we have to be particularly kind towards a new mother. Sometimes, it’s hard to bounce back, because you all need your time to heal emotionally and physically. Everybody should be given that choice. There is no formula on how you should look after giving birth. People forget that giving birth is a miracle,” she says.
Sameera Reddy stepped away from showbiz after her wedding to entrepreneur Akshai Varde in 2014. The couple welcomed their first child, son Hans, in 2015. In 2019, they had their second child, daughter Nyra.
Lead image credit: Instagram/reddysameera and Tips Industries
