The strain to suit into slender definitions of magnificence typically begins at an early age, affecting what number of younger ladies see themselves and the alternatives they make — even in actions they as soon as beloved. Ananya Panday, who’s seen as a assured Gen-Z icon, just lately opened up about how physique shaming and significant remarks about her appears as soon as deeply affected her rising up.
Talking on an episode of In The Ring With Filmfare, Ananya recalled how assured and outgoing she was as a toddler — till feedback about her physique started to creep in. “From like 3 to love 10, I used to be very… I might be that one at a party who knew all of the footsteps and the way I’m now, I used to be like that from 3 to 10, very assured, very chatty and all of that,” she shared.
However all the things shifted in her teenage years. “I might simply form of… even when my buddies and I had been doing a dance efficiency in class, I might all the time be like, ‘Can I stand behind?’ And I might by no means audition to be like the primary… I might all the time form of choose to take the, , a again place of that kind.”
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She admitted that whilst a debuting actor, the struggles didn’t go away immediately: “It took me time. I’m not even saying as quickly as I grew to become an actor, that went away. Even in my first movie, I actually struggled with my physique… not skinny sufficient… as we speak I’m extra snug, nevertheless it did take me in my first two movies additionally.”
How can physique shaming result in social withdrawal in adolescents, and what are the long-term results?
Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Reply Room, tells indianexpress.com, “As a psychologist, I’ve seen how physique shaming throughout adolescence — when id and self-worth are nonetheless forming can deeply wound an adolescent’s confidence. For somebody like Ananya, avoiding auditions or hiding throughout performances displays the internalised disgrace and worry of judgment. Generally social withdrawal turns into a protection mechanism to flee scrutiny.”
Over time, she provides that this could result in persistent low shallowness, nervousness, disordered consuming, and issue asserting oneself in relationships or skilled areas. Adolescents begin shrinking their presence on the earth, believing they’re ‘not sufficient,’ except actively supported to rebuild their self-image and safely reconnect with their sense of self and visibility.
Why is it that even individuals who appear profitable or conventionally enticing proceed to battle with physique picture?
In line with Khangarot, even those that appear profitable or conventionally enticing, like Ananya, can battle with physique picture as a result of it’s much less about how one appears and extra about how one ‘feels’ about how they give the impression of being. “As a psychologist, I’ve seen that fixed exterior scrutiny — particularly in high-pressure industries — fuels inner self-doubt. When price is tied to look, even the slightest flaw can really feel magnified. Social comparability, perfectionism, and internalised magnificence requirements create a relentless loop of inadequacy. So, regardless of exterior validation, the interior narrative stays harsh — as a result of true physique acceptance comes from self-compassion and autonomy, not applause or approval.”
