‘I am open to what the future…': What Dhanashree Verma's response to hate and name-calling after divorce from Yuzvendra Chahal tells us about healing from emotional trauma
Dhanashree Verma has broken her silence on the hate and name-calling she faced following her divorce from Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal. The separation wasn't without noise — memes flooded social media with many calling her a gold-digger, and public judgement followed her every move.
But Dhanashree remained steady. 'It doesn't bother me at all! I have surrounded myself with great inner strength, and I am so dedicated that my focus has always been on my work, as I have a lot of responsibilities. I have guarded myself and have built myself so strong that I just focus on my work, which will speak for everything,' she said in an interview with Times of India. 'The negativity and public criticism have never really bothered me since day 1, and it will never bother me ever.'
The 28-year-old choreographer added that she now filters out anything that doesn't serve her personal growth. 'I have been working on myself even more now… I have completely changed my lifestyle and am focusing on self-love, inner strength, discipline, exercise, good food, and surrounding myself with people who look up to me. I want to be a part of a journey that inspires people around me.'
And while her first marriage may have ended on a difficult note, her faith in love remains intact. 'I will always say and believe that love is a beautiful aspect of life, and your understanding of it evolves over time… I am open to what the future holds for me, but for now, it is my career and my family that are of utmost importance to me.'
Neha Parashar, clinical psychologist at Mindtalk, tells indianexpress.com, 'Emotional resilience in the face of public criticism isn't about becoming immune to pain, it's about learning how to process that pain in healthy ways. One of the most powerful tools in building this resilience is self-awareness. When individuals are anchored in their values and have a clear sense of identity, external opinions tend to hold less power over their emotional state.'
Cultivating a routine that includes grounding practices, whether mindfulness, journaling, therapy, or even just time away from screens, helps create a mental buffer. In addition, reframing the narrative around public criticism (e.g., recognising that hate often says more about the speaker than the subject) can lessen its emotional impact.
Dhanashree spoke about changing her lifestyle, focusing on self-love, exercising, and surrounding herself with supportive people. 'These strategies may seem simple on the surface, but they are incredibly effective because they address both the body and the mind. Exercise, for instance, is not just about physical health, it's a proven way to regulate mood, improve sleep, and release pent-up emotions. Similarly, self-love isn't about indulgence; it's about treating oneself compassionately, especially during vulnerable periods,' states Parashar.
Having a supportive circle is equally critical. Parashar notes that emotional recovery is not a solitary journey; trusted relationships provide validation, perspective, and a safe healing space. 'Over time, these practices help rebuild a sense of emotional safety and confidence, allowing individuals to move forward with more clarity and strength.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
36 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
The incredible story of Sara Khadem
STAAVENGER: On the opening day of Norway Chess, all 12 players posed for photos on the staircase just above the playing hall. The expressions of 11 of the 12 players were variations of bored, them just wanting to get on with it. The one exception? Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, an IM. She was smiling throughout the photoshoot, more than happy to oblige the photographers. Ten minutes in her company and it's easy to see why she was the only smiling face at the Opening Ceremony. "(smiles) I'm generally a happy person," she tells a group of Indian journalists. She's one of the very few at the top-end of elite chess who sees the game as a means to an end but not the end in itself. "Inside, I might be upset but I'm generally happy, I feel like my life isn't dependent on these games. If I win this tournament and you tell me my life is going to change, 'no, no, it wont'." That sort of refreshing perspective comes with the territory because Sara -- as she's known in chess circles -- has already been through a lot. First, her passport was confiscated and she wasn't allowed to leave Iran, her country of berth. She subsequently withdrew from the federation. Then came a Covid-induced lockdown. In late 2022, at the World Rapid and Blitz in Kazakhstan, she competed without the hijab, which prompted a furious backlash in her native country with authorities waiting with an arrest warrant. Six months later, Spain granted her citizenship. Since then, she's been in Marbella but during her time in Iran, the one-time child prodigy did consider giving up the game she loves. "A lot of things have happened in life which have made me go slowly or even backwards," the 28-year-old, who has won loads of individual events in age-group events, says. When she first started playing senior chess, it was considered to be a matter of time for her to become a GM. Yet, that dream hasn't materialised. Events like these, though, have kept her motivated.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Is Aamir Khan's ‘dream project' Mahabharat going to be his last film? Sitaare Zameen Par actor reveals TRUTH
Ever since Aamir Khan revealed about starting work on his next big dream project inspired by the Indian mythological tale Mahabharat, fans cannot keep calm. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming movie Sitaare Zameen Par, plans to begin work on this magnum opus right after. Sometime back, Mr. Perfectionist had opened up about retiring. And now, in a recent interview, he yet again hinted at Mahabharat being his last project. Yes! You heard that right. Aamir Khan might retire after working on Mahabharat. No, we are not saying this, but Aamir Khan himself hinted at this in a recent podcast with Raj Shamani. The actor was asked if he is about to make his last film, then what does he want it to be about? The actor paused for a while, and what he replied will leave you surprised. Replying to this question, Aamir admitted that it's his dream to make Mahabharat. He further revealed starting work on it right after Sitaare Zameen Par 's release. The Laal Singh Chadha star further added that after working on Mahabharat, maybe he will get the feeling that now he has nothing left in him to do. He cannot do anything after this, as the material of this film is going to be like that. 'Layered hai, emotion hai, scale hai, har cheez hai usme. Har cheez jo duniya me hai wo aapko Mahabharat me milegi,' added the star. He further quipped, 'I hope that I die with my shoes on, lekin kyuki aap puch rahe to ek hi cheez hai jo main soch sakta hu. Shayad ye karne ke baad mere andar wo emotion aaye ki ab iske baad mujhe kuch nahi karna, shayad.' While talking to The Hollywood Reporter a while back, Aamir spoke about Mahabharat. "That's one of my biggest ambitions," he stated, adding that just the writing process will take a few years. Aamir said that he will be joining the team as one of the producers. When asked if he will be acting in the film too, the Dangal actor stated, "We'll see who we should cast based on who's appropriate for which part." When asked if he would be taking over the director's chair for the magnum opus, the actor stated that Mahabharat is one film that can't be told in one go. While it's early to say if he will helm the movie, he divulged that the story will be told across multiple films. Hence, for that, they will need multiple directors if they have to plan it within a certain timeline.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
When Every Tourist On Eiffel Tower Vibed To ‘Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein'
Last Updated: The video shows the group singing the legendary Hindi song Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein. A group of Indian travellers transformed Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower into an impromptu Bollywood concert spot. Captivating passersby, they performed the classic Hindi song Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein, a romantic melody from the 1951 film Chori Chori, originally sung by legends Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. The beautifully shot video captures the trio singing in perfect harmony near the Eiffel Tower, with spectators, many of them tourists from around the world, enjoying the soulful performance. Some are seen clapping along and swaying to the tune. This enchanting blend of classic Indian music against the stunning Parisian backdrop created a magical atmosphere that resonated deeply with viewers. The video's caption read, 'Every tourist enjoyed Indian song with us at the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France." It quickly went viral, earning praise for the group's spontaneous and heartwarming musical tribute. Indian music has often bridged cultural and language divisions, with people across nations appreciating it. Weeks back, Deanna Leigh, a 23-year-old travel vlogger from the United Kingdom, posted a hilarious video on Instagram about how she unexpectedly fell in love with India's 'Swach Bharat" jingle. She said, 'I heard it all the time in Jodhpur. I thought it was just a fun song people sang every morning." Deanna had no idea that the catchy tune blaring from loudspeakers was a call to take out the trash. She said, 'I didn't know. I just thought it was a cheerful morning tune." Sharing her opinion, Deanna wrote, 'My new favourite song in India! At one point, this was all I would hear in the mornings. I had no clue what it meant… but damn, what a banger!" In the video, a garbage truck is shown rolling down the street while playing charming music, leaving Deanna both amazed and fascinated. Prasoon Joshi wrote the song Swachh Bharat Ka Irada, which was sung by Kailash Kher. First Published:
