It’s 2012, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has shown up at the Cannes red carpet in an Ellie Saab number. The headlines (from Indian publications unfortunately) let us know in no uncertain terms how scandalous the appearance was. An Indian celebrity had had the temerity to show up at a global event without losing her pregnancy weight. Haaw.
Cut to 2017, a glowing Kareena Kapoor Khan walks the ramp 45 days after giving birth, in a heavily embellished lehenga. Everyone’s mighty impressed. Kareena, they declared, is showing us that pregnancy weight is normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
What changed? We grew up, it seems.
Several Bollywood actresses experienced motherhood this year and unlike the criticism poor Aishwarya had to face, their public appearances were deemed ‘pre and post pregnancy fashion goals.
They taught us how to love ourselves and be confident in our skin, said op-eds. A welcome change from the constant fashion baiting we saw much of about five years ago.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
After Aishwarya gave birth to daughter Aradhya in November 2011, she took a break from acting, but kept up her public appearances.
ALSO READ: 5 fashion trends started by Aishwarya Rai that became part of our wardrobe
From attending Cannes to other international events, Ash did not hide her post-pregnancy weight like she was expected to. Despite the negative press and catty comments about her weight gain, she went about her business, unfazed.
Aishwarya Rai at Cannes Film Festival 2012
Seems like the new moms of Bollywood need to thank her for doing her bit to ‘normalise’ pregnancy in the public eye. Although she was trolled first for gaining weight and then for not losing it quickly (like Shipa Shetty or Lara Dutta did), Aishwarya handled the criticism with grace, refusing to lash out.
Aishwarya Rai spreading some body positivity
And this step definitely made things a lot easier for other B-town mommies including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mira Rajput, Lisa Haydon, Soha Ali Khan.
From pregnancy fashion to walking the ramp flaunting the baby bump, it was Kareena who after Aishwarya drove home the point that pregnancy does not mean that one needs to hide in the house.
Kareena Kapoor walked the ramp for two designers while she was pregnant
ALSO READ: Kareena Kapoor Khan lost 16 kgs in 3 months post pregnancy. Know how [Watch Video]
Though her maternity fashion choices were said to be inspired by Kim Kardashian, Bebo became a pregnancy fashion role model for many moms-to-be.
Kareena Kapoor and Kim Kardashian
Following sister-in-law Kareena’s footsteps, Soha Ali Khan flaunted her baby bump in cool and comfy maternity style.
Soha Ali Khan’s stylish journey through her pregnancy photo
ALSO READ: Lisa Haydon and 5 other celeb moms who normalise breasts and breastfeeding
Another actress who recently refused to be shamed into hiding her baby bump was Lisa Haydon. She not only did photoshoots in swimwear while pregnant but also delivered a strong message on breastfeeding post delivery.
Sure, there have been plenty of detractors who’ve attempted to mom-shame these celebrities, but thankfully there are a lot more who’ve spoken up in their favour than those who’ve criticised.
Kareena Kapoor and Taimur are all set for Veere Di Wedding in Delhi
So does this mean that as a civilised society, we are *finally* adulting? Sure looks like it.
For interesting lifestyle videos from InUth, follow us on
Youtube.com/InUthdotcom
