Soha Ali Khan:

Soha Ali Khan: "I've never had the urge to alter my looks, all thanks to my mom, Sharmila Tagore."

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Soha Ali Khan shares that one of the toughest challenges in her path to self-acceptance hit her early in her career. She gives a lot of credit to her mom, the legendary Sharmila Tagore, for guiding her through those tough times. Soha mentions that her mom taught her to appreciate beauty in its natural form rather than getting caught up in the pressure to change it. This is the same lesson she’s passing on to her daughter, Inaaya Naumi Kemmu.

In a recent chat with Hindustan Times, Soha opened up about her admiration for her mother, who just celebrated her 80th birthday, and how she’s learned to embrace aging, her journey toward self-acceptance, her collaboration with The PureSense Watermelon Glow Burst serum, and more.

Did she feel any pressure to alter her looks?

Soha kicked off her acting career back in 2004 with "Dil Maange More," and she's worked hard to stay true to herself, steering clear of the industry's superficial side.

"I’ve never felt pressured to change how I look or fit into what others expect. From day one, I’ve embraced who I am and focused on being authentic. My mom, Sharmila Tagore, has been a huge influence on me. She always said that real beauty is about being yourself, not about meeting someone else's standards. I’ve always valued self-worth and staying true to my identity, which has helped me navigate my career with confidence and integrity," Soha shares.

Reflecting on her journey with self-acceptance, Soha reveals, "One of my biggest challenges with self-acceptance happened early in my career."

"It was a time when I was figuring things out and learning to embrace my uniqueness. Eventually, I understood that true beauty comes from accepting yourself and celebrating your quirks. I realized I didn’t have to live up to anyone else's expectations to feel good about myself. My mom played a key role in this—her ability to remain authentic, no matter the trends, taught me to appreciate my own uniqueness," says the actress, who is married to Kunal Kemmu.

Drawing inspiration from her mom.

Sharmila has become a true icon of aging gracefully for many. She just celebrated her 80th birthday, and Soha admits that her mom has shown her how to appreciate beauty in a world where fillers and surgeries are the norm.

Soha shares, “My mom has always been my beauty inspiration. She’s dedicated to self-care, still practices yoga, keeps her film career alive, and focuses on her diet and health.”

“What really impresses me is her complete acceptance of herself. She’s never tried to change her looks and has embraced getting older with style. This mindset has inspired me deeply. Being around people who promote self-acceptance instead of cosmetic changes creates such a positive vibe. I also believe in using natural ingredients to boost beauty,” she explains, highlighting why she partnered with Pure Sense’s Watermelon Revitalizing Face Serum.

Soha adds, “It’s packed with the benefits of watermelon, which helps nourish and hydrate the skin. It fits perfectly with my belief in celebrating natural beauty. It’s this kind of uplifting support that really counts.”

Motherhood really shifts how you see beauty.

Soha, a mom to 7-year-old Inaaya, says that her view on beauty has totally changed since becoming a parent.

How so?

“Motherhood has really transformed how I see beauty and self-care. Before I had kids, I was all about quick fixes and looking good on the outside. But once I became a mom, I realized that real beauty is about taking care of yourself in every way—mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin and making your well-being a priority, not just for looks, but for your own peace and strength. Being a mom has shown me that self-care is crucial, not just for me, but for my family too. It’s not a luxury anymore; it’s a must if I want to be the best version of myself,” Soha explains.

What beauty tips does she share with Inaaya?

Soha believes that being a mom means she has to teach her child the right way to view beauty and self-acceptance.

“If I could give my daughter some tips on body image and how to deal with society's expectations, I’d say that real beauty comes from within. It’s super easy to get wrapped up in what society says we should look like, but those standards are often temporary and superficial,” Soha explains. “I’d want her to celebrate her individuality and realize that her value isn’t based on her appearance.”

Wrapping up her thoughts, she adds, “I’d remind her that everyone is unique, and that’s what makes us all special. It’s about learning to love and take care of your body, not for how it looks, but because it’s what lets you experience life to the fullest. True confidence comes from loving and accepting yourself, and once you have that, nothing else really matters.”

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