Taapsee Pannu talks about her problems with body image.

An Indian actress remembers exercising too much just to get a flat stomach.

BY Mahnoor | 02-06-2026

Indian actress Taapsee Pannu spoke about the pressure women feel to look perfect. She shared her own struggle to get a flat stomach and encouraged fans to love their real bodies instead of trying to look perfect for social media.

On Instagram Stories, Taapsee talked about her past. She said that even though she was fit, she was once obsessed with losing fat on her lower belly. She wrote, "I remember being obsessed because I was very fit growing up, but I couldn't understand why that lower belly fat wouldn't go away."

The actress said she pushed herself too hard to look perfect, but realized it was actually hurting her. She explained, 'I pushed myself too far. When you do that, your brain sends a signal that your body needs help and protection.'

Taapsee said the strict routine backfired. Instead of losing fat and water weight, her body started holding onto more water, especially around her lower stomach.

"She said that instead of losing water weight, the body begins to hold onto it. This causes belly fat—which might actually be water—to stay or even increase if you overwork out, something she advises people against doing."

The actress also said that women's bodies shouldn't have to look one specific way, and that body changes are a normal part of life caused by hormones. She added, 'I struggled with this for a long time, but I eventually realized that some days my body changes and some days it doesn't.'

Taapsee shared advice from her nutritionist, explaining that having a little fat and water near the lower belly is actually healthy. She said this extra layer is important because it protects your reproductive organs, which is especially necessary for women.

The actress encouraged her followers to be healthier by telling women not to use extreme diets or intense workouts just to look perfect.

She said that having a small belly is normal and healthy. She also warned people not to compare themselves to the fake bodies often seen on social media.

In her career, Taapsee's latest movie is a courtroom drama called Assi, which came out on February 20. The film looks at the issue of sexual violence in India, with Taapsee playing a strong lawyer fighting for a survivor.

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