Pakistani entertainment commentator Dr Ejaz Waris has issued a public apology to Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif as people called him out for body-shaming her over post-pregnancy weight.
Waris had mocked Katrina’s appearance while reviewing the “best looks” of celebrity couples at the Ambani Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, where she attended with husband Vicky Kaushal.
“What happened to Katrina Kaif? She looks like Vicky Kaushal’s mother all of a sudden. What happened to her? She really looks like a mother now. What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do? I just can’t handle Katrina Kaif’s look,” he had said in the video.
The remarks drew widespread criticism online, including from Pakistani actor and Kaif’s former co-star Ali Zafar, who defended her and spoke out against the focus on her body.
Since the commentary on Kaif’s looks was also widespread, it also prompted Salman Khan to address the trolling directly on Bigg Boss 20, questioning why people were commenting on the actors’ weight after she had recently become a mother.
Khan said that gaining weight after pregnancy is normal, that she would get back into shape once she returned to films, and that she deserved to spend time with her family without being judged.
Waris, soon after, released a video apology on Instagram. “SORRY KATRINA KAIF. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely apologise to Katrina Kaif for my recent remarks,” he captioned the video.
“After Salman Khan mentioned it yesterday on Bigg Boss, I reflected and realised that my words may have hurt Katrina and many of her fans. Body shaming was never my intention. I’m also sorry to Salman Khan and to everyone who felt offended. Sometimes words come out wrong, and I genuinely regret mine,” he added.
“I really felt that I shouldn’t have said all those things. I am a huge fan of Salman and Katrina too, but I don’t know in what flow I said those things in the recording. I just joked a bit for the hook of the video, but a lot of people are hurt because of my words,” he said in the video.
Waris went on to repeat his apology and clarify his intentions.
“I am really sorry, Katrina Kaif, if my words have hurt you and sorry to everyone whose heart broke because of my reel. I know I said this in a very casual way without any intention of body shaming, but I don’t know in what flow I said those words. My words would have hurt, but my intention was never to body-shame. Keep rocking, Salman and Katrina.”
