‘Flat Chest’, ‘Chicken Legs’: Ananya Panday Opens Up About Bullying, Social Media Struggles

Bollywood actress Ananya Panday, one of the most sought-after young stars in the industry, recently opened up about her journey to fame and the challenges she faced along the way. Speaking with journalist Barkha Dutt on We The Women, Panday candidly discussed her experiences with bullying, mental health struggles, and the darker side of social media.

Despite her privileged background as the daughter of actor Chunky Panday, Ananya revealed that her journey has been anything but smooth. “I’ve been trolled and bullied a lot, even before I became an actress,” she said. The criticism, she explained, began during her school years.

Recalling her childhood, Panday shared that she was often mocked by her peers. “I was called everything from ‘hunchback’ to ‘flat-chested’ to ‘chicken leg’ and ‘hairy,’” she said, adding that the hurtful remarks left a lasting impact. “We were in a bubble back then,” she said, contrasting her school days with today’s world of amplified social media scrutiny, which she finds particularly daunting.

Panday also opened up about seeking therapy to cope with her struggles. “I couldn’t articulate my emotions and would feel very, very down,” she admitted, emphasizing the importance of mental health support. According to her, the insidious nature of social media often makes it difficult to recognize the toll it takes. She explained that while one might ignore a hurtful comment in the moment, it can linger in the subconscious and build up over time.

The CTRL actress recalled a particularly troubling incident when someone created a fake Instagram account, falsely claiming to know her from school and accusing her of lying about her education and college admissions. Initially, she brushed it off, thinking, “No one will believe this.” However, to her dismay, many people did, further underscoring the damaging power of online platforms.

These experiences have made her cautious about social media. “It’s incidents like these that sometimes make me not want to be on these platforms,” she admitted.

Panday’s candid revelations serve as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness, particularly in an age dominated by social media.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek help from a mental health professional or contact a helpline for immediate support.