Former actor Twinkle Khanna recently shed light on the pressure of maintaining an unrealistic body image in the 90s Bollywood scene. While discussing her experience filming the song “Mohabbat Ho Gayee” from Shah Rukh Khan’s hit “Badshah,” Khanna revealed she relied on a strict regimen of chickpeas, leading to amusing, yet concerning, moments during filming.

Price of Flat Stomach

“I know you see all these actresses now saying they eat everything – it’s not true,” Khanna stated, quoted by News18. “If you wanted a flat stomach in those catsuits, you starved. Why we wore them, I don’t know!” Her self-proclaimed “chana diet” stemmed from both a desire for a specific physique and, with characteristic humor, the practicality of readily available Gujarati fare.

The song’s iconic lift by Shah Rukh Khan brought with it unexpected anxieties. “I was so scared I’d explode like a gas canister,” Khanna laughed, acknowledging the absurdity of the situation. Her performance in “Badshah” received mixed reviews, but one critique stands out in her memory: “A review focused solely on my navel! Back then, nobody protested, it was normal. We didn’t think it was misogynistic – I think I thanked the writer!”

The anecdote highlights the stark difference between beauty standards then and now. Khanna, known today for her witty writing and body positivity advocacy, used her experience to spark a conversation about unrealistic expectations placed on female actors in the past.

From Bollywood to Books

Beyond “Badshah,” Khanna has carved a successful path as an author. Her latest book, “Welcome to Paradise,” a collection of stories exploring heartbreak, relationships, and deception, was recently launched. “These characters have lived in my head for years,” she shared on Instagram, “and now they’re ready to meet you.”

Khanna’s journey from Bollywood starlet to outspoken author embodies a shift in priorities and perspectives. Her voice, both playful and critical, offers a glimpse into the changing landscape of beauty standards and the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry.

While the “chana diet” days may be behind her, the conversation about achieving true health and acceptance persists, fueled by Twinkle Khanna’s wit and wisdom.