Chetna Pande on reality show trauma: 'I felt very broken'
Synopsis
Chetna Pande's path to her Bollywood debut ran through one of the darkest periods of her life — online trolling and public negativity after reality shows that left her, by her own account, 'very broken.' That she chose to channel the pain into her performance in Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, and that audiences are now embracing the film, makes her story one of the more compelling personal comebacks in recent Bollywood memory.
Key Takeaways
Actress Chetna Pande says online trolling and public scrutiny after reality show appearances left her emotionally and mentally broken.
She was simultaneously shooting Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past during her most difficult personal phase.
Chetna deliberately channelled her emotional pain into her performance, calling audience appreciation 'a personal victory.' The film, directed by Vikram Bhatt , marks her debut as a leading actress in Bollywood, opposite Mimoh Chakraborty .
She hinted at more projects ahead and thanked audiences for their support.
Actress Chetna Pande has spoken candidly about the severe emotional toll that her participation in television reality shows took on her, revealing that intense public scrutiny and relentless online trolling left her feeling mentally shattered and emotionally adrift. The Mumbai-based actress says the experience, as painful as it was, ultimately became the fuel that drove her Bollywood debut.
The Reality Show Fallout
'It definitely affected me emotionally. After the reality show, I felt very broken. The trolling and negative narratives hurt me,' Chetna said. She described the period as one of the darkest phases of her personal life, marked by a constant barrage of negativity that proved difficult to process.
Notably, Chetna was simultaneously shooting for her latest film during this emotionally turbulent phase — a detail that underscores just how much she was carrying behind the scenes.
Channelling Pain Into Performance
Rather than withdrawing, Chetna made a deliberate choice to redirect her anguish into her craft. 'Instead of allowing those emotions to destroy me, I decided to channel them into my work. I transformed my lowest moments into my greatest strength,' she said.
The film she was shooting during that period — Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past — marks her debut as a leading lady in Bollywood. Directed by Vikram Bhatt, the horror film casts her opposite Mimoh Chakraborty. Chetna plays Sunheri, a character that audiences have reportedly responded to warmly since the film's release.
A Dream Debut and Personal Victory
'This is my first film as a leading actress. Seeing myself on posters and carrying a strong story was always a dream,' she said, calling the project a milestone she had long aspired to reach.
The positive audience reception has clearly resonated with her on a personal level. 'Today, audiences are appreciating the film and loving Sunheri's character. For me, that appreciation feels like a personal victory,' Chetna added.
Gratitude and What Comes Next
Chetna expressed deep gratitude to viewers who embraced the film. 'The love and support audiences have shown this film mean everything to me. Their encouragement has helped the film achieve success, and for me personally, this project represents an important milestone,' she said.
She also hinted at upcoming projects, saying she 'cannot wait to share' what lies ahead. For an actress who navigated public humiliation and emotional breakdown to arrive at a Bollywood lead role, the journey itself appears to be the story — and it is far from over.
Point of View
And contestants — particularly women — frequently bear the brunt of that long after the cameras switch off. That Chetna had to shoot a Bollywood film while privately processing that damage, and that the film is now being received well, is a genuinely compelling arc. But it also raises a structural question the industry has not seriously addressed: what duty of care, if any, do reality show producers owe their participants once the season wraps?
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chetna Pande say about her reality show experience?
Chetna Pande said that online trolling and negative narratives following her reality show appearances left her feeling emotionally broken and mentally disturbed. She described it as one of the most difficult phases of her life.
What is Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past is a Bollywood horror film directed by Vikram Bhatt. It marks Chetna Pande's debut as a leading actress, with her playing the character Sunheri opposite Mimoh Chakraborty.
How did Chetna Pande cope with the emotional fallout from reality shows?
Rather than withdrawing, Chetna chose to channel her emotional pain into her acting. She was shooting Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past during that difficult period and says she transformed her lowest moments into her strongest performance.
Who directed Chetna Pande's debut film?
The film was directed by Vikram Bhatt, a filmmaker known for his work in the horror genre. It is Chetna's first major role as a leading lady in Bollywood.
What has the audience response been to Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past?
According to Chetna Pande, audiences have responded positively to the film and to her character Sunheri in particular. She described the appreciation as a 'personal victory' given the difficult circumstances under which the film was made.
