New Delhi: Actor Radhikka Madan has opened up about the body-shaming she experienced after gaining 15 kg for her role in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha. Reflecting on the criticism she faced during her physical transformation, the actor has spoken about the pressure women encounter to meet conventional beauty standards and explained why she eventually chose to prioritise her health over a particular body size.
Her remarks come amid online criticism directed at Katrina Kaif over her postpartum appearance, bringing renewed attention to the scrutiny women face over their bodies at different stages of life and their careers.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Madan recalled how people questioned her prospects as a leading actor after she gained weight for the 2018 film.
“I was told I was too fat, heroine kaise banegi ye,” she said, recalling the comments about her appearance.
The experience highlighted a contradiction that many women in the entertainment industry encounter: physical transformations undertaken for professional reasons can still invite criticism when they do not align with prevailing expectations of beauty.
Radhikka Madan on Gaining 15 Kg for Pataakha
Madan’s transformation for Pataakha required her to gain approximately 15 kg for the role. However, the criticism did not end when she began losing the weight she had gained for the film.
The actor explained that she was shedding the weight while working on Shiddat and Angrezi Medium, taking on projects back-to-back as her appearance changed.
“I had gained 15 kgs for Pataakha, and I was losing that weight through Shiddat and Angrezi Medium. I was told that I was ‘too fat. Heroine kaise banegi ye’. I kept losing weight and shooting back-to-back, and fully became like bones. It started affecting my health, so I took a break,” Madan told Hindustan Times.
Her account illustrates the pressure of navigating physical changes while working in an industry where an actor’s appearance can become a subject of public discussion. What began as a transformation for a character eventually became a personal challenge as she tried to meet expectations that continued to change.
Madan said she came to recognise that criticism could follow her regardless of whether she gained or lost weight.
“Earlier, I was too fat, now I was too thin, and in between, I was neither here nor there,” she recalled.
The conflicting reactions prompted her to reconsider why she was trying so hard to satisfy other people’s opinions. She said she subsequently shifted her attention towards feeling healthy rather than pursuing a particular body size.
“So, I started focusing on feeling healthy rather than chasing a particular body size. Once you do that, others’ opinions don’t affect you as you become wiser,” she said.
Radhikka Madan Questions Unrealistic Beauty Standards
Beyond her personal experience, Madan reflected on how narrow definitions of beauty can influence women from childhood. She pointed to the expectations surrounding a woman’s appearance and the pressure to fit an idealised image.
“We have this manicured idea and this burden, especially on girls, about how to look and what’s a perfect size. And if you aren’t fitting in that, you are going wrong,” she said.
The actor also discussed how conventional images of beauty, including those presented on magazine covers, can shape perceptions of what women are expected to look like.
“We have to realise that the idea of a perfect woman is fed to us,” she added.
Her comments challenge the assumption that there is a single acceptable way for women to look. They also underline how appearance-related judgments can affect confidence and self-perception, regardless of a woman’s profession or public profile.
Madan acknowledged that she finds the idea of self-love somewhat clichéd, but said accepting oneself and embracing individual characteristics are important.
“I find the idea of loving yourself a bit too cliche, but you have to accept yourself and have fun. Find your own quirks,” she said.
She also recalled growing up with a unibrow and facial hair, explaining that a positive upbringing helped her feel comfortable with her appearance rather than constantly seeking validation from others.
Katrina Kaif Faces Postpartum Body Criticism
Madan’s remarks have also drawn attention to the online criticism reportedly directed at Katrina Kaif over her postpartum appearance. The discussion highlights how women in the public eye can face scrutiny over their bodies even during significant personal and physical transitions.
Postpartum recovery is different for every individual, and appearance alone does not provide a reliable measure of someone’s health or recovery. Nevertheless, commentary about weight and body shape can create unrealistic expectations about how quickly a woman should look a certain way after childbirth.
The criticism surrounding Kaif has renewed debate about why women’s bodies remain subjects of public judgment, particularly when their appearances change. Madan’s account offers another perspective on the same broader issue: women can face negative comments whether they gain weight, lose weight or fall somewhere between society’s competing ideals.
The two situations are distinct, but both illustrate the challenges of being judged against rigid appearance standards. Neither an actor’s professional value nor a woman’s personal well-being can be fairly assessed by body size alone.
Radhikka Madan’s Recent Work
Madan has continued to explore different roles across film and streaming projects. According to the supplied report, she recently appeared in Lust Stories Season 3, sharing screen space with Ali Fazal in a segment directed by Shakun Batra.
Her comments on body image add a personal dimension to the conversation surrounding her career, particularly the physical demands that can accompany acting assignments.
By speaking about her experience, Madan has highlighted the importance of looking beyond appearance and recognising the impact that relentless scrutiny can have on well-being. Her central message is that health should take precedence over the pursuit of an ever-changing ideal—and that women should not have to justify their bodies to meet other people’s expectations.
