"I Believe That You Shouldn’t Say Anything to Someone Online That You Can’t Say to Their Face": Sonakshi Sinha

Brides Today covergirl has an intimate conversation about what she wants in her ideal partner, her views on marriage, body positivity, social media bullying, and more...

Brides Today: Do you view your body as a friend now? Many women don’t share a happy relationship with their bodies...It is almost like they are fighting it on a daily basis.

Sonakshi Sinha: I will admit, it takes a lot of work. I realised a few years ago that a lot of us have got it wrong. We start off by saying, ‘Oh my god! I hate my body, and that is why I need to change it!’ It is important to create a shift in one’s perspective so that things begin to fall into place. I began telling myself that I love my body and that is why I need to take care of it. And your body begins to listen to you, all of a sudden. You could constantly punish it, work out five hours a day, eat less, or starve yourself, but your body won’t listen. It is going to work against you, it is going to push back.

BT: Recently, you actively worked on the issue of harassment on social media. What is your stand on the matter, and do you think things are changing?

SS: I stand by the fact that there should be some sort of online etiquette, and people should be kinder to each other, especially online. I believe that you shouldn’t say anything to someone online, that you can’t say to their face. I tried and did as much work as I could to create awareness about online harassment and cyberbullying... We spoke to experts who had dealt with the situation and have worked in the field of law enforcement and cybercrime. It was very insightful. We got people on board the campaign who have been victims of online harassment and abuse. Teenagers who tried to commit suicide because of being bullied...it can deeply affect one’s mental health.

The point was to create awareness about what people can be driven to do, and the actions to take if someone is being harassed. Because many people think that if you simply block the person, they will go away. But they might come back, they may be stalking you via many other accounts. One may not know what to do in that situation, and so we wanted to educate people on how to handle it. We received so many messages thanking us for enlightening people on the subject and informing them that strict action can be taken. This is not a matter to be taken lightly, it is extremely serious. It can drag a person to commit suicide or prevent children from going to school. Even today, I address the topic wherever I can because it is important that people know.

BT: You did a commendable job! The last year and a half has also meant spending time at home with the family... What are the lessons you have learnt from this precious time?

SS: That you don’t need a lot to be happy. I think that is the most important lesson most of us have learnt over the past year. You don’t need to be constantly surrounded by people, or the chatter. This time put things into perspective about who is important to you...the people who are checking up on you, who are bothering to stay in touch. Your family is, of course, always there, but being home together means a lot. Basically, I learnt that things that are simple, matter.

BT: Also, you have spoken about how painting keeps you calm. Tell us more about that!

SS: Painting is like meditation for me, it transports me into a world where I completely switch off, where I am not thinking of anything else...it is just me, my canvas, and the colour. I don’t think of what I am going to paint, I just enter the art room and while staring at my canvas, inspiration comes to me. I pick up any colour and just flow with it. That is the definition of meditation for me...I truly enjoy it! During the first lockdown, I auctioned my paintings and sketches to raise funds, and that was incredibly satisfying. This time around, I have painted less because I wanted to get back to fitness and establish a routine. But painting is something that I always enjoy and it calms me down.

BT: And have you filled up your walls at home with your own artworks?

SS: Yes! My floor has three paintings made by me, the rest of them are lying downstairs. I don’t know what I am doing with them. A lot of friends have asked me for artwork, but while I have not gotten down to it, this seems like a good time. It is the most personal gift that you can give anyone.

BT: What makes Sonakshi Sinha happy?

SS: The little things! And because they are the little things, there are a lot of things that make me happy. I feel that life is too short and you can’t keep waiting for a milestone to find happiness because things can be so unpredictable; they may or may not even happen! I feel happy when I paint, when I have had a good workout, and after a great conversation with a friend...

BT: And what makes you sad?

SS: The circumstances that are around us, currently. The stories that one hears about people suffering…they trouble me and make me feel helpless. Each one of us is doing as much as we can, to the best of our capacity, but it just never seems to be enough...that makes me sad.

BT: Finally, what are your hopes for your future?

SS: I can’t wait to get back on set! I want to start shooting again, it has been too long. You know that feeling, of being in that momentum that you just want to keep going...it has been broken in such a weird way that right now, and I can’t wait to be back. Personally speaking, I eventually want to find love, settle down, get married, and continue working. While growing up, my friends and I used to always joke about how I would be the first to get married, and now all of them are married before me!

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