Ananya Panday Opens Up About Battling Social Media Trolls and Mental Health Struggles

The Bollywood star reveals how therapy helped her cope with online criticism and personal insecurities.

Ananya Panday’s Bollywood journey has been a mix of challenges and growth. While the actress initially faced criticism for her acting skills, she gradually won over audiences with performances in films like CTRL, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Gehraiyaan.

However, Ananya has frequently been a target of social media trolling, particularly amidst debates surrounding nepotism. Reflecting on her early career, she revealed how online negativity deeply affected her mental health, leading her to seek therapy.

In an interaction with Mojo Story, Ananya shared that during her first year in the industry, she faced massive backlash for a remark she made on a roundtable discussion about her father not being invited to Koffee with Karan. The ensuing trolling was overwhelming, and she admitted, “People’s opinions got into my head. I didn’t feel like going to film sets anymore.”

The Dream Girl 2 actress explained how social media comments would linger in her subconscious, often affecting her weeks later. With her family’s encouragement, she sought therapy, which proved transformative. “Therapy helped me consolidate my feelings and articulate my thoughts better,” she said.

Ananya also opened up about the impact of social media on body image and self-esteem. “Nobody posts their failures on Instagram. You’re constantly comparing yourself to people who seem happier or more successful,” she said. Despite her progress, she admitted there are still days she struggles with confidence.

Through her candidness, Ananya hopes to inspire others facing similar issues. “As an actor, the most I can do is share my experiences and let people know I have such days too,” she concluded, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and resilience.