Bollywood actress Radhikka Madan has once again brought the pervasive issue of body-shaming in the entertainment industry to the forefront, sharing her personal struggles and offering support to fellow actress Katrina Kaif. In an exclusive interview with HT City, published today, October 12, 2026, Madan candidly spoke about the relentless scrutiny over her appearance, which significantly impacted her health.
Radhikka Madan on Facing Body Shaming
Madan, who turned 31 on May 1, 2026, revealed that her journey through physical transformations for roles became a constant source of criticism. She recounted a pivotal moment after gaining 15 kilograms for her critically acclaimed 2018 Bollywood debut film, Pataakha, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. “I had gained 15 kgs for Pataakha, and I was losing that weight through Shiddat and Angrezi Medium,” Madan stated. It was during this period that she was explicitly told, “‘Too fat. Heroine kaise banegi ye’ (How will she become an actor?).”
Driven by these comments, Madan admitted to pushing herself to extreme lengths to lose weight while shooting back-to-back for Shiddat (released October 1, 2021) and Angrezi Medium (released March 13, 2020). “I kept losing weight and shooting back-to-back, and fully became like bones. It started affecting my health, so I took a break,” she shared, highlighting the detrimental impact on her well-being.
The actress ultimately realised the futility of trying to please everyone when their expectations constantly shifted. “Earlier, I was too fat, now I was too thin, and in between, I was neither here nor there. I asked myself, why am I trying to please people when they will never be happy?” Madan questioned, emphasising her shift towards prioritising health over a specific body size.
Madan’s recent statements come as a strong show of solidarity with Katrina Kaif, who has reportedly faced scrutiny over her postpartum weight gain. Madan underscored the pervasive nature of body-shaming, noting that women are perpetually judged for their appearance, regardless of weight fluctuations.
Navigating Industry Beauty Standards and Self-Acceptance
Beyond weight, Madan has previously addressed other industry beauty pressures, including advice about cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers. While Madan acknowledged that she doesn’t judge those who opt for such enhancements to boost their confidence, she has recalled instances of being told to correct certain features. She has, however, expressed an openness to future cosmetic procedures, emphasising that it would depend on her personal self-image at the time.
Radhikka Madan’s latest revelations underscore a crucial conversation about self-worth and mental health in an industry often criticised for its rigid beauty standards. Her message resonates with many, encouraging a focus on well-being and genuine self-acceptance over external validation. Madan was recently seen in the Amazon Prime Video release Subedaar, which premiered on March 5, 2026, and also featured in Netflix’s Lust Stories 3, which premiered on September 18, 2026.