Fashion has long celebrated the art of transformation – the cinched waist, the sculpted torso, the illusion of effortlessness. But every so often, a moment cuts through the fantasy to reveal the physical
reality beneath. Masaba Gupta recently did just that, candidly recalling how wearing an extremely tight corset for a burlesque number in Kesari Chapter 2 triggered an intense acidity attack, just two days after her wedding.
Shared by Masaba Gupta on Sania Mirza’s podcast, the confession was both disarming and necessary. She said, “This one is very recent. I am at my fittest. This was two days after my wedding. I did an item song in the film Kesari 2. I was doing a burlesque number. I was very excited. I was wearing this corset. It was so tight that I had an acidity attack. So, I want to let you all know. I was chugging Eno and pretending to be hot.”
If you’re wearing a corset for performance, fashion, or festive dressing, here’s what her story makes very clear.
DO: Treat Corsets Like Performance Wear
Corsets are not everyday garments. They’re closer to performance costumes than regular tops. If you’re wearing one for a shoot, dance, or long event, prepare your body accordingly. That means warming up, practising breathing, and limiting wear time. Masaba’s experience highlights that even short-term wear can trigger physical reactions if the body isn’t accustomed to compression.
DON’T: Wear a Corset Right After Heavy Meals (or Big Life Events)
One of the biggest takeaways: timing matters. Tight corsets compress the stomach and diaphragm, increasing the risk of acid reflux – especially after eating, drinking, or during periods of physical stress (like post-wedding exhaustion). Avoid corsets immediately after meals, alcohol, or when your body is already under strain.
DO: Get the Right Fit — Not the Smallest Size
A corset should sculpt, not suffocate. Always opt for professional fittings, adjustable lacing, and breathable boning. If you’re gasping, dizzy, or unable to take full breaths, it’s too tight — no matter how good it looks. Fashion discomfort should never cross into medical distress.
DON’T: Ignore Early Warning Signs
Heartburn, nausea, chest pressure, shallow breathing – these are not things to ‘power through.’ If your body reacts, loosen or remove the corset immediately. Pain is not part of the aesthetic.
DO: Limit Wear Time
Corsets are meant for short, controlled durations. Take breaks, loosen laces between takes or events, and never sleep in one unless it’s medically designed for that purpose.
The longer the compression, the higher the risk.
DON’T: Romanticise Suffering for Fashion
Looking effortless while being deeply uncomfortable isn’t glamour; it’s outdated thinking. Masaba’s honesty dismantles the myth that beauty requires endurance.
