‘Oh my god, my face looks chubby today': Katrina Kaif on struggling with critical self talk; counsellor shares how to break free

Indian Express

25-07-2025

Katrina Kaif has long been admired for her beauty and confidence, but behind the flawless red-carpet appearances and stunning magazine covers, the Bollywood star has battled her inner critic.
'I'd often look in the mirror and think, Oh my god, my face looks chubby today,' she admitted candidly in a recent Vogue India interview. 'But someone else might see you and think you look fantastic. That self-criticism is what I'm working on—reminding myself to be kinder.'
For the actor-entrepreneur, self-acceptance has been a personal journey deeply intertwined with her brand, Kay Beauty, which champions inclusivity and encourages women to celebrate their uniqueness. 'I remember being 16 and reading Vogue,' she recalls. 'It's how I learned about beauty and where I first recognised the importance of not perpetuating stereotypes. That's become so important to me over the years because I've gone through my own battles with self-acceptance.'
Counselling psychologist Priyamvada Tendulkar explains that negative self-talk about physical appearance is deeply ingrained in societal conditioning, past experiences, and personal insecurities. 'It can erode self-worth, leading to shame, avoidance behaviors, or excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws,' she says.
One of the biggest hurdles? The belief that self-worth is tied to appearance. 'Your worth is not dependent on how you look, how much you weigh, or whether you meet societal beauty standards,' Tendulkar emphasises. 'Pretty is not the rent you need to pay to exist in this world as a female,' she says, paraphrasing American lexicographer Erin McKean's quote.
So, how do we silence that inner critic? Tendulkar shares some powerful mindset shifts:
🔹 Shift the focus from appearance to self-experience. Instead of asking, How do I look? ask, How do I feel in my body today?
🔹 See yourself as a whole person, not just a body. You are more than just a nose, thighs, or skin texture—you are a complex, valuable human being.
🔹 Practice self-compassion. 'Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend struggling with body image issues,' she advises.
She also highlights the power of reframing negative thoughts:
✅ Catch the Thought. Pause and ask: Is this factual or just conditioned negativity?
✅ Replace with a Balanced Thought. Instead of I look terrible today, try I don't love how I look today, but my appearance doesn't define me.
Shame about appearance thrives in secrecy and comparison—but it loses power when we reclaim our narrative.
Here are a few ways to break free from toxic body ideals:
✔️ Name it to tame it. Say aloud: I feel insecure about my ___ today, and that's okay. Acknowledging the feeling reduces its power.
✔️ Use self-expression as joy, not correction. Fashion, makeup, or styling should be about having fun—not fixing yourself.
✔️ Shift from objectification to functionality. Instead of How does my body look? Ask what amazing things my body does for me every day.
And most importantly—stop chasing perfection. 'Self-love isn't about always feeling beautiful,' Tendulkar says. 'It's about loving yourself even when you don't.'