Kareena Kapoor Khan enters her 'padel era' with 'Never Say Never'
Synopsis
Kareena Kapoor Khan just added padel to her fitness CV — and she's calling it her 'padel era.' The 'Never Say Never' caption signals a playful but genuine embrace of the sport that's quietly become Bollywood's trendiest workout, and Kareena's endorsement could give it a significant mainstream push in India.
Key Takeaways
Kareena Kapoor Khan shared padel court photos on 30 May , declaring she is entering her 'padel era'.
The photos were originally posted by yoga instructor and friend Anshuka Parwani .
Kareena captioned her repost 'Never say Never' with laughing emojis and a red heart.
She first gained widespread fitness attention for slimming down to around 48 kg for 'Tashan' in 2008 , a phase she has since said she does not wish to revisit.
Her most recent screen appearances include 'The Buckingham Murders' (directed by Hansal Mehta ) and 'Singham Again' .
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan has apparently found her latest fitness obsession — padel — sharing glimpses from a recent session on her social media stories on 30 May. The actress playfully declared 'Never say Never' as she stepped into what she called her new 'padel era', signalling a fresh addition to her well-documented wellness routine.
On the Padel Court
The photos were originally posted by celebrity yoga instructor and close friend Anshuka Parwani, and subsequently reposted by Kareena on her stories. In the images, the actress is seen posing on a padel court, racket in hand, dressed in a white sleeveless workout top, leggings, and sports shoes — looking energetic after her session.
Alongside the reposts, Kareena wrote 'Never say Never' accompanied by laughing emojis and a red heart, while a separate story explicitly referenced her 'entering her padel era' — a phrase that quickly caught attention among fans and fitness enthusiasts online.
A Lifelong Fitness Journey
Kareena has long been regarded as one of Bollywood's most fitness-conscious stars. Yoga sessions, structured workout routines, and wellness practices have been a consistent part of her lifestyle for years, with the actress regularly sharing updates across her social media platforms.
Her fitness journey first became a national talking point during the making of 'Tashan', released in 2008, when she popularised the so-called 'size-zero' trend in Hindi cinema. Reportedly, she had slimmed down to around 48 kg for that role. However, Kareena has repeatedly stated in interviews over the years that she has no desire to revisit that phase, and has since advocated for a more balanced approach to health.
Notably, despite her fitness reputation, Kareena has often described herself as a self-confessed foodie — with dal khichdi remaining her comfort food of choice, one she has said she can eat at any time of the day.
Padel's Growing Popularity in India
Kareena's foray into padel reflects a broader trend among urban Indians and Bollywood celebrities who have embraced the sport over the past two years. A hybrid of tennis and squash played on an enclosed court, padel has seen rapid infrastructure growth in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, attracting a celebrity following that has helped drive mainstream awareness.
Professional and Personal Front
On the work front, Kareena was most recently seen in director Hansal Mehta's 'The Buckingham Murders' and in 'Singham Again', alongside Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff. Her filmography includes titles such as 'Jab We Met', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', '3 Idiots', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', and 'Crew', among others.
On the personal front, she is married to actor Saif Ali Khan, and the couple are parents to two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan. With padel now added to her fitness repertoire, fans will be watching to see how prominently the sport features in her wellness updates going forward.
Point of View
But it lands in a context worth noting: padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in urban India, and celebrity adoption is the single biggest driver of its mainstream uptake. When a star with Kareena's fitness credibility signals she's 'entering an era', it functions as organic marketing that no padel brand could easily buy. The more interesting thread, however, is how Kareena has quietly repositioned herself from the 'size-zero' symbol of 2008 — a trend that drew both admiration and criticism — to a more rounded wellness advocate. That evolution is the real story behind every workout post she shares.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is padel and why is Kareena Kapoor playing it?
Padel is a racket sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, played on a smaller enclosed court. Kareena Kapoor Khan shared photos from a padel session on 30 May, captioning them 'Never say Never' and referring to it as her new 'padel era', suggesting she has taken up the sport as part of her fitness routine.
Who took the photos of Kareena Kapoor playing padel?
The photos were originally posted by celebrity yoga instructor and Kareena's close friend Anshuka Parwani. Kareena subsequently reposted them on her own social media stories with her own captions.
What is Kareena Kapoor's fitness background?
Kareena Kapoor Khan has been widely recognised as one of Bollywood's most fitness-focused stars for over a decade, regularly sharing yoga sessions, workout routines, and wellness practices on social media. She first drew major attention for her fitness in 2008 when she reportedly slimmed down to around 48 kg for the film 'Tashan', though she has since said she has no wish to return to that phase.
What are Kareena Kapoor's most recent films?
Kareena was most recently seen in director Hansal Mehta's 'The Buckingham Murders' and in 'Singham Again', which featured an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff.
Is padel growing in popularity in India?
Yes, padel has seen rapid growth in urban India over the past two years, with courts opening in cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Celebrity interest, including from Bollywood figures like Kareena, has helped raise mainstream awareness of the sport.
