Ananya Panday has been trolled and body shamed on several occasions, and yet she doesn’t want to let go of even one of those experiences. The actor says she is on a journey of getting comfortable with her body, and is constantly learning to love herself “a little more every day”.

“Getting comfortable with one’s body is a process. It doesn’t happen in one week. It is a long journey, and that is what I have realised with my experiences... I am learning to love myself a little more every day,” Panday tells us.

Ask her how she got to this state of mind and the 22-year-old says, “I have learnt a lot along the way... I wouldn’t be the person that I am today if I didn’t have those experiences. I am grateful. I wouldn’t want it in any other way.”

Since the time she came into the spotlight, along with appreciation, Panday has also had to face harsh criticism — sometimes for having it easy in the industry as the daughter of actor Chunky Panday, sometimes for her body, and at other times for her fashion choices.

She has, in fact, always been vocal about her struggles, and even took a stand against cyberbullying. But opening up about one’s vulnerabilities does not always come easy, whether you are a commoner or a celebrity.

“Embracing vulnerabilities is difficult, but I also think it is rewarding,” says the actor, who debuted with Student Of The Year 2 (2019) and then followed it up with films such as Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019) and Khaali Peeli (2020).

“When a lot of people come up to me and say that they have been through similar things, and [you realise that] you opening up [about your personal struggles] has helped them in some way… it is very rewarding. It can be scary but it is totally worth it,” explains Panday, who recently walked as the showstopper at finale of the phygital edition of Fashion Design Council of India x Lakme Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, she has also made her peace with the new realities brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic. “It is all about finding joy in this new era, and making the most of the moments that you have while still being safe at the same time,” says the actor, who has started working on her pan-India film, Liger.

For Panday, the little things in life have gained more importance, and “overpowered everything else”. “I have also found a lot more energy and passion towards my work,” she adds.