Virat Kohli and Anuska Sharma welcomed their daughter, Vamika, into the world earlier this year. For the actor, this transition into motherhood has ushered in a striking sense of clarity. She finds herself focused and consumed – in the best way possible. “It’s true when people say that nothing prepares you for parenthood. You just have to nosedive into it".
"I remember being afraid initially and wondering if I wouldn’t like being a mother, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a person since I’ve had my baby. When you’re completely responsible for an individual who’s dependent on you, you don’t have time to dwell on less important things. Today, I find myself stronger, braver, and more sure of myself, way more than I've ever been. I’m making better decisions because a lot of the riff-raff has been cleared out.”
Through this major event in Sharma’s life, change also came about physically. Culturally, the post-partum body has always been subjected to societal scrutiny and criticism. In an industry that spotlights appearances as much as it does performances, as a highly publicised figure, all eyes were on her. It was only natural for her to feel the tremors of change.
“Only a week ago, I was telling a friend how afraid I was because of this pressure that’s thrust upon women to look a certain way, even before they become mothers, before they get pregnant, and definitely after they’ve had a baby. Despite being somebody who is fairly self-aware, I was worried. I kept thinking – am I going to hate my body?” Sharma ensured that she stayed fit through the course of her pregnancy by eating healthy and exercising regularly. Since she’s given birth, with priorities shifting, making time for exercise has been difficult
Also Read: Anushka Sharma recalls how Virat was her ‘cheerleader’ during her pregnancy
“My body’s not as it used to be; it’s not as toned as it was. And I'm working towards it because I like to be fit. Having said that, I am so much more comfortable in my skin today than I was before, even when I had that ‘perfect body'. I’ve realised that it’s a state of mind, it has nothing to do with how you look. I remember showing I click a picture and I post it without obsessively scrutinising how I look. You have to be accepting of the body that’s done something so profound and miraculous for you. I’d never want my daughter to grow up with that sense of lacking that we’re always made to feel as women. Ultimately, it’s all about perspective. The girl who has the ‘perfect’ body can still not feel great while the girl who doesn’t have a body that aligns with societal beauty standards can still, be immensely confident.”