Charu Asopa on people judging her glam photoshoot: I used to wear such clothes before but now it's not fine as I am a single mother - Exclusive!

Charu Asopa, who was last seen on television in Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye as Zohra Bai, takes her fitness seriously. Talking to ETimes TV, Charu revealed that she has lost about 10 kgs in the last four months. All this comes despite the fact that she manages daughter Ziana single-handedly. The actress' amazing transformation post pregnancy is quite evident in her glamorous photoshoot where she can be seen sporting chic western outfits. However, with all the praise that comes her way, there's always a section that's judgemental of mothers for sporting bold clothes. Here's what Charu has to say about it all...

My gynaecologist, after I delivered Ziana, wanted to make me feel good. She said, 'Ab toh bikini pehnne ki taiyari karo. You will look very good'. And I was like 'Abhi kaise, abhi toh I have just delivered a baby'. Toh she was like 'Ahhh...do mahine ke baad, you can start working out'. So I said okay. I got the check up done after two months. I started slow and really had to push myself to workout. But then I thought I can give at least one hour out of 24 to myself. I started with Pilates that was near my place. I used to go for one hour. On days I wasn't able to do it, I used to feel bad. It became a habit. Before Ziana I never worked out so much. I was blessed with a good metabolism. But after delivering her, I realised there are many changes that happen to a woman's body. Now it has been almost 1.5 years and I am back to my original weight.

When I started auditioning, people said, 'Oh, you have gained weight. That's when I realised that 'aur kaam karna baki hai'. I started working out, but when I got the web show, they asked me to lose weight and have a slimmer face. That's when I controlled my diet. When there's a baby, there's enough workout at home as well. And then you go and workout for two hours, that's when you badly need carbs like rice or roti. But I stopped all that. It did cause problems. There were times I used to get sun strokes and I'd feel giddy while working. Shoot kahin pe bhi hoti hai..dhoop ya chaon. During the shoot also, I used to feel sick. The last three months were quite difficult when I was working.

Talking about her fitness routine, Charu said, "When I joined the gym, I started doing zumba, power yoga, cycling, weight training and functional training. You get bored if you do just one routine." Charu also shared her diet, "On days, I am not shooting, I eat proper ghar ka khaana - dal chawal, roti and sabzi. But then at night, I eat less than the hunger I feel. I keep my stomach empty at night. I get done with my food by 6 or 7 pm. If Ziana doesn't sleep, then I eat something light. When I was shooting, I used to only have salads, dry fruits, and makhanas. So khaana toh mene band hi kar diya tha basically. I used to eat an apple in the morning and dry fruits in the afternoon. During lunch breaks at shoot, I used to sleep thinking I'd be able to skip food. That's not healthy or right. People shouldn't do that. I won't recommend it. What I was doing was wrong but it was required then."

I have lost 10 kgs since Ziana was born. But I majorly shed weight during the last 4 months. When I delivered Ziana, I was 64 kgs. And today, I am 54 kgs. I have lost exactly 10 kgs but it was all in the last 4 months. It was 61 earlier and something around it.

I chill sometimes. When I don't want to workout, I don't. Aisa nahi hai ki mein 7 days workout karti hun. If I workout for 4 days in a week, that's enough for me. I chill with Ziana the rest of the days. I go with her to the play area. Even running after Ziana is a workout for me. Sometimes I take my friends for a walk. I am flexible about it. Also, there's this place in Orbit mall where lots of kids come and I take her there when I am not in the mood for a workout. I run and Ziana runs after me. That becomes a workout. I plan my workout schedule around Ziana.

When you are a mother, there's judgement that you can't wear revealing clothes. Some people comment that 'Jaise jaise divorce ka date paas aa raha hai, waise waise kapde chote hote ja rahe hain'. I used to wear such clothes before as well but then it was fine. But now it's not because I am a single mother. If I am wearing such clothes, it doesn't mean I don't love my daughter. People say leave all this, focus on the kid. I don't know where such comments come from and what's the mentality of such people. Or people have been fed this that if you become a mother, you should forget living your life. When a kid is born, the mother is born with her. I can be a friend to Ziana as well besides being her mother, so she could share everything with me. You don't have to live life a certain way. And you can't judge someone's character based on their clothes.

I want to do work based on the character or content. Right now, there are a few boundations but I am open to OTT if something comes up. So I can shoot for a few months and then focus on Ziana. I'd love to do TV, I respect it. But right now, TV would be difficult for me because Ziana is too small. I won't be able to focus on her because for a show, we stay on set for 3 to 4 hours and then there's travel. But OTT and ads are okay. I don't mind asking for work and giving auditions or screen tests.