Ankita From Indian Matchmaking Talks Self-Love, Living Life on Her Own Terms and Her Denim Wear Brand 'THERE!'

It wasn't long after the premiere of this Netflix reality show that  Indian Matchmaking fast-became a lockdown hit. From matchmaker Sima Taparia's contentious statements that invited a dozen memes to the headstrong, 'I-do-me and I'm not apologetic for it' women, this series had much to offer.

Speaking of independent, modern women, one specific cast member instantly comes to mind; Ankita Bansal, a Delhi-based entrepreneur who is building her own denim empire, brick-by-brick.

The breakout star of Indian Matchmaking, Ankita was successful in winning the hearts of many. An apparent flag bearer of financially independent #BossWomen who live life unabashedly chasing their dreams, Ankita welcomed praise for her fresh outlook and strong-willed disposition.

In this exclusive interview of 15 questions with Ankita Bansal, we catch up on her current relationship status, anecdotes from Indian Matchmaking, how she's keeping busy during the pandemic and a lot more...

How and why did you decide to do the show?

Ankita:  I got a call from a friend who also happens to be a filmmaker and he was working on this project. He asked me If I'd like to do it and I think this was one of those (very few) times in my life that I agreed to doing something without thinking far too much. Well, look at where it got me, not personally, but from the point of view of our brand THERE! I guess the best things come your way without having planned them...

Had you ever worked with a matchmaker before? How was the experience different with Sima Taparia and Geeta?

Ankita:  I haven't personally, but my family has been working with two matchmakers for the past couple of years. The experience with both was pretty much the same - an eye opener. Not having worked one-on-one with a matchmaker before, I was taken by surprise and had absolutely no idea how it would impact the way I felt about matchmaking as a process.

Are you still in touch with the other cast from the show?

Ankita:  I am in touch with almost everyone! We all have a sweet group equation and with some, including Aparna, Manisha, Shekar, I share an individual rapport that goes beyond the experience we had on the show.

In one of the episodes, we saw that your father said you were 'ahead of your times .' Do you agree?

Ankita:  Sure, what my father said is correct from his point of view. I don't deny or agree to it because there is a generation gap between a parent and a child, always. Today, we have much greater access to information than they did back in their days and this automatically puts us in a mode where we are continually questioning, challenging and changing the existing notions of society that have been around for so many years. But thanks for asking me this, now that I think about it, I'd really like to understand what dad actually meant when he said that!

You came across as a strong-headed, independent woman who lives life on her own terms. What would you like to say to the women who are afraid to do so?

Ankita:  I don't see why one should be wary or scared to voice or express how they feel. In so many years of creating new relationships and friendships, I've only come to realise that you need to keep doing you; you need to stick to what feels the most appropriate to your instinct. The ones who want to, will stay and support you, irrespective. For so many centuries, as women we have been policed on what the correct code of conduct is, but my question is who decided this correct code of conduct in the first place?

You spoke about experiencing insecurity issues related to your 'body image' in one of the episodes. How have you come to terms with that and what would you like to say to women who struggle to embrace their beautiful selves, as is.

Ankita:  Even when I was going through my insecure phase with respect to body image, and I still do from time to time, no matter how much anyone asked me not to care, till it didn't come to me on my way, I never really grasped the concept of loving me for me. But yes, today, every time I do feel down and out about myself, I take that day out to sulk and overthink. However, the next day, I make it a point to wake up and push myself out of the feeling. One thing that really works for me is surrounding myself with friends who cheer me up, not just on my highs, but even more so on my lows.

Tell us a bit about your fashion brand, THERE!. What drove you to start the brand and where does it stand today?

Ankita:  THERE! is Gayatri (my younger sister) and my story of how we successfully turned our passion into a business. We have been very curious since childhood about fabric and how a piece of cloth gets curated so beautifully into a design of our choice. In my 7 years of working, I decided that I would dress up according to my mood, irrespective of where I was working. Gayatri, on the other hand, has always had an absolutely fabulous eye for detail, especially with respect to clothing. We both found ourselves at a point in life where a decision for the next phase had to be made. We both always knew we would start a clothing company together, so now when I look back I see how we were at the right place at the right time and it all fell into place super seamlessly!

Ankita Bansal and Gayatri Mallika Bansal, Founders of THERE!

Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently promoted your brand on her Instagram page. What was that like?

Ankita:  You know how you have some days you vividly recall even after many years? This will be that memory for us. I had actually slept off while working that day and at about 11 pm was woken up to the sound of Gayatri frantically jumping up and down, screaming with joy in my room like a cute monkey who had just been gifted a basket full of bananas. We were beyond thrilled to see THERE! being talked about by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Let's just say we were living the dream at that moment...

A piece of advice for women who want to begin a start-up or become 'financially independent' in today's Indian society.

Ankita:  Close your eyes, trust yourself. There is no one in the world who knows more than you do, for yourself. Focus all your energy on building a business that functions on customer satisfaction vis-à-vis profit maximisation and financial independence will follow...

What has life been like post Indian Matchmaking? What is the response you've been receiving? Any interesting projects lined up?

Ankita:  I have received an extremely humbling response; on most days we wind up not realising how the day got over. We are currently in talks with a few Indian and international organisations, with thoughts of expansion to different parts of the world.

What would you like to say to the men and women you've inspired, your fans.

Ankita:  You do you, but have a heart and mind that is willing to address and listen to another person as well. Compassion goes a long way, it takes time to come around, but it eventually does. And yeah, don't be afraid of change. It's so liberating to know that you can alter your thoughts and views without the attached fear of being judged for it!

Describe yourself in just 3 words.

Ankita:  Enthusiastic, curious and approachable.

Are you dating anyone at the moment?

Ankita:   Are you planning to suggest someone? But to answer your question, no I am not. Although I am always in love. I walk around with my heart on my sleeve!

How is Ankita spending her time during the pandemic?

Ankita:  Mostly, you'll find me sleeping or procrastinating (joking, but also slightly true!) I have been heavily focusing on my physical and mental health; I work out 4-5 times a week. I have also been taking online singing lessons; have been quite erratic in the last one month but looking to get back to it soon. I've hoarded books I had been meaning to read for the last couple of years and am now slowly finishing up, one after another. Both Gayatri and I practice a form of Buddhism called Nicherin Buddhism, and that usually occupies a lot of our day along with work. If I look back at lockdown, our practice kept us on our toes that we did not realise where the last 5 months have gone!

A piece of advice for those who are looking to try the 'matchmaking thing' or are having an arranged marriage.

Ankita:  Each to his own, really. It's not for me, at least not right now. But if you're willing to try it out, enter the process with minimal inhibitions and doubts. I truly believe that only when you fully surrender yourself to an experience, do you know the place it holds for you in your life.