‘Love my parathas, I’m a proper Punjabi kudi’: Kareena Kapoor on embracing her body before the pressure to look glamorous took over

However, she also highlighted the pressures that came with the demand to conform to certain beauty standards. “And of course, then after that, the pressure of wanting to be like you know people are like, ‘Oh no, but she’s very good, she’s good in front of the camera, but will she look good in glamorous roles?’  So then that had to be there because eventually that glamorous thing has to kind of take over,” Kareena explained. 

Her experience raises important questions about self-image, the impact of societal pressures, and how individuals can maintain body positivity while navigating external expectations.

Importance of self-acceptance and personal enjoyment of food in maintaining a healthy body image

Sakshi Mandhyan, psychologist and founder of Mandhyan Care, tells indianexpress.com, “True body confidence begins with self-acceptance rather than external validation. When people enjoy food and their natural body type without guilt, they develop body neutrality, which means respecting their bodies for what they do rather than focusing only on how they look. I often notice that people who see food beyond calories, as a source of vitality, understand its cultural roots, seasonal presence, and the comfort and joy it brings, tend to be more nurturing. This idea relates to intuitive eating, where food choices come from balance and awareness instead of control or restriction.” 

Similarly, she adds that when an individual sees the self beyond the appearance, as a contributor with multiple virtues and strengths, they feel more whole. Being at peace with one’s size and appetite builds emotional resilience. 

 

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Psychological impacts of societal and professional pressure on body image

Constant evaluation can lead to body surveillance, Mandhyan notes, in which people come to view themselves from the outside rather than from within. This tends to create appearance anxiety and makes confidence dependent on how others respond. “I have seen how repeated exposure to such pressure can narrow a person’s sense of identity until they equate worth with appearance,” she states. 

To protect self-esteem, it helps to practise self-concept anchoring, a technique that focuses on inner qualities such as competence, humour, or empathy rather than physical traits. Building supportive networks, seeking therapy when needed and also regularly checking in with one’s values all strengthen internal validation. When confidence comes from what you contribute rather than how you look, it becomes more stable and less vulnerable to external opinion.

Balancing personal contentment with external expectations in careers or social settings that heavily emphasise appearance

Mandhyan says, “Balancing authenticity with public image is a very delicate emotional task, especially in professions where visibility takes precedence. I describe this as managing two identities: the personal self and the professional role. The key remains psychological flexibility, i.e. adapting to expectations while staying emotionally rooted. Another helpful step is setting clear boundaries, such as defining where work performance ceases and personal worth begins.” 

Simple practices like mindfulness, reflective journaling, or spending time with people who see you beyond your image can strengthen that balance. The goal is not to reject social expectations but to engage with them consciously.