Opinion: Toxicity of body standards

When we let society dictate how we look, we lose control over our own lives

By Ankita Singh, Dr Moitrayee Das

From fairness cream commercials to Bollywood’s obsession with slim figures, we’ve grown up in a world that defines ‘perfect’ in narrow, often unattainable ways. This fixation isn’t new; ancient texts often glorified physical beauty as a sign of virtue, and colonial influences equated fairness with power and privilege (Vijaya & Bhullar, 2022).

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In modern times, the media continues to amplify these rigid ideals and shape a society where appearance often overshadows individuality and self-worth. These standards aren’t just unrealistic; they’re damaging (Gelles, 2011). A recent Netflix documentary on Yo Yo Honey Singh, a name that transformed India’s music scene, sheds light on just how brutal these expectations can be.

Honey Singh’s story is one that millions can relate to, even if they aren’t celebrities. At the peak of his career, he was loved by fans. But when he took a break due to mental health issues and gained weight from medication, everything changed. His fans began trolling him mercilessly. Social media was flooded with derogatory comments, mocking memes, and hashtags that questioned his relevance and talent. Instead of empathy, he was met with criticism and hate comments.

This painful chapter of his life reveals the toxic relationship we have with body image. In this article, we will explore body image issues in India through the lens of Honey Singh’s journey as depicted in the Netflix documentary.

Downfall of a Star
The documentary shows how Honey Singh struggled with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. “When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see myself anymore,” he said in the film. He wasn’t just battling his mind; he was also fighting the world’s expectations.

But perhaps the saddest part was his reaction. Instead of focusing on healing for himself, he decided to lose weight to please the public and look ‘acceptable’ again. While getting healthy is always good, the reason behind his decision makes it complicated. It is a multilayered complexity where the action of losing weight was positive, but the intention behind it was rooted in external pressure rather than self-motivation (Puhl & Suh, 2015).

This reveals an important truth: sometimes, the right action can stem from a bad reason. Singh’s journey is a stark reminder of how deeply external judgment can shape personal choices. And that’s where the problem lies. When we let society dictate how we look, we lose control over our own lives.

Trolling has real-world consequences. The constant barrage of negative comments can lead to isolation, self-esteem issues and even the worsening of existing mental health conditions. The documentary highlights how Singh’s once vibrant personality dimmed under the weight of public scrutiny. Trolling also reflects a deeper societal issue: the inability to empathise. Public figures are often seen as commodities rather than individuals with feelings. The dehumanisation of celebrities allows trolls to justify their cruel behaviour, forgetting that their words can have devastating effects (Karthika, 2022).

Pressure to Be Perfect
Whether it’s about being ‘fair and lovely’ or having the ‘perfect’ body, the standards are suffocating (Nagar, 2018). Think about the countless matrimonial ads that demand a ‘fair, slim bride’ or the constant comparison to Bollywood stars. It’s everywhere.

India’s obsession with fairness traces back to colonial times when the British brought with them the idea that lighter skin meant power, sophistication and authority. Over time, this association was perpetuated through social hierarchies and economic opportunities that favoured those with fair skin. (Majidi, 2020).

Losing weight to appease critics reflects the immense power societal pressure wields. Yo Yo Honey Singh’s journey is a stark reminder of how deeply external judgment can shape personal choices

Even today, fairness creams are marketed as key to success. Advertisements tell us that being fair will get you the job, the spouse, and the respect you’ve always wanted. It’s a billion-dollar industry built on insecurities. In India itself, the size of the fairness products industry is around Rs 10,000 crore (Buch, 2020).

The slimness craze, on the other hand, has been heavily influenced by Bollywood. Actresses are expected to maintain impossibly thin bodies, while actors who bulk up for roles are praised for their discipline (Ahmed, 2022). This creates a skewed standard, making it seem like being thin or muscular is the only way to be attractive.

Role of Social Media
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are engineered to promote content that garners the most engagement. The algorithms prioritise posts featuring ‘ideal’ body types, reinforcing narrow beauty standards and making it even harder for people to embrace their natural selves (Franchina & Lo Coco, 2018).

This toxic environment exacerbates body image issues not only for celebrities but for countless everyday users as well, making it crucial to hold these platforms accountable for the content they promote and the culture they foster. Filters erase imperfections, making it hard to tell what’s real and what’s not (Powell & Pring, 2023).

For someone like Honey Singh, social media was both a gift and a curse. It gave him a platform to connect with fans, but it also became a space where he was relentlessly judged.

Mental Health
A study focusing on young Indian men found that body image dissatisfaction is a prominent risk factor for conditions such as eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, anxiety and substance use disorders (Sampath et al, 2020).

Another study highlighted that Indian youth are more dissatisfied with their bodies now, which puts them at risk for disordered eating patterns (Singh & Gadiraju, 2020). These findings emphasise the urgent need to address body image issues as a public health concern in the country. Young people are particularly vulnerable. Schools often become breeding grounds for fat-shaming, with hurtful comments that leave lasting scars (Gam et al, 2020).

Actions driven by internal goals, like improving health or self-confidence, tend to have a more lasting impact. However, when they are rooted in external validation, the benefits can feel hollow, and the individual may remain trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and people-pleasing.

Honey Singh’s story is a reality check. It shows how damaging society’s obsession with looks can be and why we need to question these toxic standards. Instead of judging, we should choose empathy. Instead of chasing unrealistic ideals, we should celebrate diversity.

(Ankita Singh is Undergraduate student and Dr Moitrayee Das is Assistant Professor of Psychology, at FLAME University, Pune)