New Mother Bipasha Basu Talks About Self-Love and Motherhood: 'Do I Feel Beautiful?'

"My husband looks at me every day and makes me feel like the most gorgeous woman in the world," said Bipasha Basu, who married actor Karan Singh Grover in 2016.

Motherhood brings about a lot of changes, both physical, as well as mental-emotional. For a woman, giving birth to a child is akin to being reborn herself. It can be a joyride and a great adventure, while also being challenging on many levels. For Bipasha Basu, it has been no different. The actor took to her social media account to share a real and raw take on what life looks like for her now, after welcoming daughter Devi Basu Singh Grover with husband Karan Singh Grover. The couple became parents in November 2022, after getting married in April 2016.

In an Instagram video accompanying a long caption, Bipasha, 45, was seen doing some yoga asanas with her little one, who appeared to diligently follow her mother and copy her moves. They performed asanas on their respective yoga mats. The 'Alone' actor wrote that her body has changed since having a baby. "...but am I still beautiful? Do I need validation from the world about me, more so because I am an actor? Maybe, sometimes, in my most vulnerable moments," she confessed.

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"I look at other mommies who bounce back so quickly, returning to their pre-baby appearance, and I admire them. But every woman, every body type, every pregnancy, every journey is unique," Bipasha added, admitting that 'bouncing back' to her pre-pregnancy self has not been easy for her.

"I have different priorities now -- not that I don't love myself like before I still do. But loving myself now is more holistic and encompasses more than just my physical appearance," said the mother-of-one. "Do I feel beautiful? Hell yeah. My husband looks at me every day and makes me feel like the most gorgeous woman in the world. My little daughter's 'wow, mamma' when she sees me, and when asked who is 'shundori' [beautiful], she screams 'mamma' loudly... is all the motivation and validation I need."

Bipasha, however, said that she does want to return to acting, which is her first love. "I do want to bounce back, however tough this interim period of struggle may be, as I want to return to my first love acting. Time has made me wonder Why was I only considered by brands for endorsements when I was super lean and spending hours in the gym? Why can't a new mom be inspirational for the same brands? Isn't that more relatable?"

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She went on to say what many mothers -- especially celebrity mothers around the world -- have been stating for years now: more inclusivity and representation for women. "We live in a body-positive world, so why can't we start celebrating women and finding inspiration in them at every stage of their lives? Must a new mom only endorse baby products? Is she not beautiful enough for other brands anymore? I would love to endorse a fitness label now, just like before -- but they don't even make great clothes for new moms like me," she rued.

Bipasha said that today she has 'more experience and understanding of the gift of life'. "...now I know I can inspire more than before."

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She ended her post by writing that she is 'choosing happiness every second of [her] life'. "I was born this way and thank goodness I haven't changed. The bottom line is, I am beautiful."

Have you given birth recently? Does this post resonate with you?