Urvashi Dholakia recently posted a heartwarming note on her social media account along with a picture of herself in a bikini, giving viewers a glimpse of her toned body even as she wrote about defying picture-perfect bodies. The actress shared how women should be comfortable with their bodies as they change from time to time.

BT reached out to the actress who spoke about how women are under constant pressure and often judged for the way they look. She said, “What I penned in my post is a sensitive topic and I don’t want people to again judge me for that because it will diffuse the purpose of my post.”

Sharing further how she has constantly been categorized as a mother of two, Urvashi said, “Every time I post something or do something, I am always categorized as a mother of two children. Why? Am I not an individual and then a mother of two kids? Does anyone say this to a man? ‘Arre yeh toh do bacchon ka baap hai?’ In our country, unfortunately, people still think that there is no life for a woman after she turns 40. If I have two kids, should I roam around with a placard saying that I have two kids and I am a mother? Everyone passes through different age brackets in life and by telling a woman every time, ‘Arre yeh toh do bachchon ki maa hai’, you are trying to tell her, it’s time for you to retire and stay home. You should not do that to anyone.”

Urvashi is known to speak her mind andhas been vocal about various issues including body shaming. She shared, “People can go to theatres and watch women in bikinis on the big screen, but when an actress posts a picture on her social media handle, they start commenting on how she is posing in a bikini when her sons are old enough to get married. Who decides the age when my sons should marry? My sons reposted this picture of mine.”

Urvashi said, “This time when I posted the picture, I thought people would not ask me questions on why or how, but it is the same thing again! What if I would have posed in a salwar suit in a pool? They would have still passed some judgement. People don’t comment when a man removes his shirt and shows off his belly or six pack abs. Secondly, I also feel it is my social media handle and I am not seeking validation! Society hasn’t paid my bills or stood by me during bad times. It’s my wish and I can do whatever I want to do.”

Every woman should be comfortable with her body and embrace herself wholeheartedly, she added. “When you reach a certain age — they start calling you ‘aunty’, ‘maal’ and all sorts of names. I just want to reiterate that a woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes (shape, size) and she needs to embrace that. In my recent picture, I look toned, but even if I was not, I would still be confident about my body. I ignore trolls because I don’t seek validation from anyone. I have lived my life and reached where I am with hard work and talent. People should stop categorizing me as ‘arrogant’ or ‘strong-headed’ just because I speak my mind and don’t live life according to society’s regulations,” she said.