How Social Media Trolling Affected Ananya Panday’s Mental Health: The Actress Speaks Out

Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has been in the public eye ever since her debut in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year 2. While her talent and charm have earned her a loyal fan base, Ananya has also found herself at the center of the ongoing nepotism debate. Over the years, she has faced significant trolling and harsh comments, especially on social media. In a recent interview, the young actress opened up about the toll this constant scrutiny took on her mental health and how she found solace in therapy.

The Struggles of Dealing with Social Media Hate

Ananya spoke candidly about the emotional strain caused by online trolling. "There were times when I would break down and not want to go to sets," she admitted. As a young star, Ananya revealed how social media hate affected her in ways that were hard to express. She shared how reading negative comments would affect her mood, but she often couldn't articulate the pain she was going through in real time. "You may not realize that it is affecting you," she said. "Because in the moment, you might feel fine—having a good day, busy with work—but weeks later, those comments could still be lingering in your subconscious."

She described how the accumulation of negative comments over time started to weigh on her. Therapy helped her sort through these feelings and allowed her to better understand and express her emotions. "With therapy, I was able to consolidate my feelings and articulate my thoughts a little better," Ananya said. She acknowledged that while she isn’t as regular with therapy now, it was a huge help in her healing process.

Ananya's openness about her struggles with mental health is part of a broader conversation among celebrities about the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma surrounding therapy. Like Ananya, several other Bollywood stars, including Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Sanya Malhotra, have also shared their experiences with mental health challenges.

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Ananya’s mother, Bhavana Pandey, also joined the conversation, revealing that she too has sought therapy. “I was in therapy for about a year, maybe a little longer. I still take therapy off and on when I find things I can’t handle on my own,” she shared. Bhavana admitted that she found her daughter’s experience with trolling more painful than Ananya did. “I was an overly sensitive person, but I’ve become stronger,” Bhavana explained. She also mentioned that she leans on her husband, actor Chunky Panday, for emotional support. “I talk a lot to Chunky, who is my best friend, but it’s biased sometimes,” Bhavana joked.

Trolling and Online Harassment: A Dark Side of Fame

Ananya recounted some of the most hurtful experiences she has faced online. “Honestly, a lot has been said about me, so I can’t really choose one moment,” she said. One particularly troubling experience occurred when someone created a fake Instagram account claiming to be a former classmate of hers. This account spread false rumors about her education, saying she lied about getting into college. "At first, I thought no one would believe it," Ananya recalled. "But people did believe it. And it was really hard to control the narrative."

She also reflected on how social media has amplified even the smallest voices, leading to a far-reaching impact. "When I was in school, I was called everything from a hunchback to flat-chested to chicken-legged and hairy. But back then, it was a closed circle. Now, because of social media, the smallest of voices can be amplified across the world, and this is definitely a scary time," she shared.

Despite the constant trolling and negativity, Ananya’s journey has been a testament to the importance of addressing mental health struggles. By speaking up about her experiences with therapy and online harassment, she hopes to inspire others, especially young people, to seek help and understand that it’s okay not to be okay.

Ananya’s willingness to talk about her mental health and the emotional toll of social media highlights the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding these issues. It’s a reminder that celebrities, despite their fame, are human too and face challenges just like anyone else. With her newfound strength and resilience, Ananya Panday is not only taking control of her narrative but also helping others realize the power of self-care and mental well-being.