I overcame self-doubt, learnt to accept myself: Meghana Raj Sarja
Meghana Raj Sarja recently shared a picture of herself on social media, which was accompanied by a caption that summed up the actor's personal evolution: 'From self-doubt, accepting and embracing I, me, myself,' she wrote.
In a conversation with Bangalore Times, Meghana candidly spoke about how entering the film industry made her acutely aware of the intense scrutiny that women face, how she rebuilt her confidence amidst these pressures, and more. Excerpts:
'JUST WHEN MY CAREER WAS TAKING OFF, I HAD THE WORST BREAKOUTS OF MY LIFE'
From believing I was the best to people suddenly pointing out 'flaws' I never even knew existed, showbiz felt different.
Before I joined the industry, I had embraced every bit of myself. But the industry told me otherwise: from 'your skin is oily' to 'you're a little chubby' and 'try this for acne,' I got a lot of unsolicited advice. Just when my career was taking off, I had the worst breakouts of my life. And that led to a chapter of self-doubt and insecurity.
'AFTER RAJAHULI, I TRULY CAME INTO MY OWN'
Looking back, I think I had the best body during Rajahuli.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here]
Esseps
Learn More
Undo
I was full of self-love and began taking care of myself. I remember I was shooting a Malayalam film with VK Prakash and going on set with make-up. He took one look at me and asked me to wash it all off. I had a little acne back then, but VK sir said, 'Meghana, you're beautiful.' That took away some of my self-doubt.
'MOTHERHOOD IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT ITS CHALLENGES STILL REMAIN UNSPOKEN'
Motherhood is a beautiful chapter, whose challenges no one really talks about.
I went through an emotionally turbulent time, and it didn't just have to do with Chiru's (Chiranjeevi Sarja) demise. The pandemic was at its peak, and my entire family tested positive. There was so much to deal with and yet, some of my closest people including family's first reaction on seeing me was, 'Why have you put on weight?'. Hearing this constantly wears you down.
And it's hard to explain why your body changes. Something as simple as choosing clothes would be a battle.
Until my friend Anusha picked out that sleeveless dress for me and said, 'You've forgotten that beauty goes beyond your body,' and that one sentence hit hard.
'Women are looked at differently'
Growing up, I remember having this unshakeable confidence. I truly believed I was the best. I was a little chubby as a kid, became lean in my school years, but no matter what, I didn't really care because I was comfortable in my skin.
It's only when I got into films that I realised how differently the world looks at a woman.
'THE UNSOLICITED ADVICE STILL DOESN'T STOP'
People still tell me to do some diet or try a workout routine. Ironically, even my trainer has never called me fat. People love giving advice. But they don't understand. Body shaming is real. And it's cruel. Picking at someone's flaws online shouldn't be normal. The internet doesn't have to be this harsh. Recently, I wore a dress to an event. And then a video of me being shot from an unflattering angle made it online. Especially when I try to stay strong, being caught off guard can shake me.
Check out our list of the
latest Hindi
,
English
,
Tamil
,
Telugu
,
Malayalam
, and
Kannada movies
. Don't miss our picks for the
best Hindi movies
,
best Tamil movies,
and
best Telugu films
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cristiano Ronaldo sparks retirement rumors ahead of 2026 World Cup, says ‘My career in soccer is not long…'
At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a commanding presence on the football pitch, defying expectations and timelines. But as Portugal prepares for a pivotal UEFA Nations League final against Spain, the legendary forward has once again sparked speculation about when the curtain might finally fall on his historic career. In a press interaction on the eve of the match, Ronaldo delivered a brief message that sent fans and pundits into a frenzy. With no definitive retirement timeline, the Portuguese icon left room for hope and mystery, offering a four-word declaration that may well define the twilight of his journey: 'I'm here to enjoy.' 'I'm Here to Enjoy': Ronaldo's Message Resonates When asked directly about his retirement plans, Ronaldo responded with poise and clarity, though without finality. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 8 Ridiculous Expenses Americans Waste The Most Money On BetterBuck Read More Undo 'My attitude to life is like this: I live every day and try to enjoy the moment,' he said. 'I know that my career in soccer is not long, but at the moment I enjoy the game at a high level. Today, tomorrow or another day — I have not made a clear decision about this', as quoted in a report for WorldSoccerTalk. The Portugal captain, whose current contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia concludes at the end of June, emphasized that happiness, not records, remains his primary motivation. Live Events 'I am only here to play football and enjoy the process,' he added. 'Football gives me happiness, that is why I am still on the field.' A Glorious Career Approaches Final Chapters Since bursting onto the professional stage with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, Ronaldo's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. With spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr, he has amassed over 900 career goals and five Ballon d'Or trophies, setting records across every major European league. Internationally, his accomplishments are equally staggering. As Portugal's all-time leading scorer, Ronaldo has led the national side to a Euro 2016 triumph and victory in the inaugural Nations League in 2019. Now, as he eyes one final trophy in this year's tournament, speculation grows around whether the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his swansong on the global stage. A Day-by-Day Approach Ronaldo appeared philosophical about the future, reiterating his focus on the present moment rather than setting a timeline. 'My mentality is to live day by day,' he remarked. 'I don't have many more years to play…but I'm enjoying the moment. There's no day decided for my retirement. I feel happy, I'm here to enjoy and keep going until the day I [don't feel] like this.' That mindset of being fully immersed in the present seems to encapsulate a career that continues to evolve, even in its final phase. As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, fans can expect Ronaldo to remain central to Portugal's campaign, even if the exact end of his career remains uncertain. For now, the football world listens and watches one more time. FAQs Did Cristiano Ronaldo announce his retirement? No, Ronaldo did not officially announce his retirement. He stated, 'I'm here to enjoy,' and emphasized that he is living day by day without setting a specific date for ending his career. What did Ronaldo mean by saying 'I'm here to enjoy'? The phrase reflects Ronaldo's current mindset. He is focused on enjoying the game and staying happy on the field, rather than chasing records or worrying about the end of his career.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Air India Presents Power Creator Awards 2025: Jury members Maheep Kapoor and Abhishek Banerjee share thoughtful messages for social media influencers of the era
The Air India Presents Power Creator Awards 2025 is making waves by recognising the contributions of digital content creators across the country. The event was graced by several well-known names in the industry, including Gulshan Grover . What stood out were the thoughtful words shared by two of the jury members — actress Maheep Kapoor and actor Abhishek Banerjee . Although actress Maheep Kapoor could not attend the awards night, she played a significant role as a jury member in shortlisting the winners from the list of nominees. She shared her heartfelt thoughts about social media influencers. Maheep Kapoor's message for digital content creators Power Creator Awards shines the spotlight on India's digital trailblazers 'I want to make a small video to congratulate all the creators who won the award. Well done — you really do make a difference, and we are genuinely influenced by you. So, congratulations. I'm also very sorry that I couldn't be there for the award function, but my good wishes and all my love are with you. Congratulations once again,' Maheep shared. Meanwhile, fellow jury member and actor Abhishek Banerjee also shared his valuable thoughts about the Power Creator Awards. Abhishek Banerjee message for digital content creators 'I have been on the jury, and it was truly lovely learning about the kind of work happening on social media. So many young Indians — and people across age groups — are creating content that influences the younger generation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo It's absolutely mind-blowing. I wish all the nominees the best of luck, and to the winners — congratulations. Please keep up the good work. Don't do it just for yourself — do it for the community. I think that's the true role of an influencer,' the Stree 2 actor said. About Air India Presents Power Creator Awards 2025 The Air India Presents Power Creator Awards 2025, powered by The Times of India and supported by Air India, Nothing, and Hilton, honours influencers across diverse categories such as food, fashion, comedy, podcasts, travel, and more. Featuring both Jury and Popular Choice awards, the event aims to acknowledge the power social media influencers hold in today's digital space. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Exclusive - Pushpa Impossible actress Indraxi Kanjilal: Success is measured in terms of visibility in this industry
'Out of sight, out of mind' is how this industry functions, says actress Indraxi Kanjilal, who plays Prathana in Pushpa Impossible. She adds that your worth here is determined by your visibility, not by the depth of your craft. 'I feel like the industry I'm working in really measures success based on visibility rather than the depth of an actor. Everyone judges you by how often you're seen and how famous you are. If you're famous, it doesn't matter whether you're doing a good job or not. And if you're a genuinely good actor, that often doesn't count for much. What matters more is that you're visible, that people know your name, and that you're seen as a celebrity,' she says. She adds that roles are also given on the same basis. 'In fact, if you're very famous, you don't even have to worry about getting projects—they come running to you. That's the reality these days. People say, 'Oh, she's known, let's give her the project,' without even considering acting skills. It's become like that. Of course, everybody wants to be famous. Everybody wants to be rich. Everybody wants to make their parents proud—and I want all of that too. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo I want to be visible, I want to be successful, I want to make my parents proud. These are definitely important to me. But I also want to be a good actor,' she says. Talking about what success means to her, she adds, 'Being a good actor isn't easy these days, because honestly, nobody seems to care much about that anymore. Now, it's all about how many followers you have on Instagram, Facebook, or other social media platforms. It's all about popularity, not real talent. The real talent, if I may say, is often shoved out the window. Even if there's an actor who can act and is really trying hard to get a break, they often get overlooked. Because in this industry, being talented doesn't always mean you'll get the opportunity—being popular does. That's the truth. And that's the industry I'm in. I accept all of these things as part of the journey. I just hope that along with becoming successful, I'm also able to build real depth as an actor.' Darshan Gurjar & Indraxi Kanjilal talk about their childhood Christmas memories.
