Sara Ali Khan on trolls: 'I'll be lying if I say I don't get affected'
Synopsis
Sara Ali Khan's admission that online trolls genuinely affect her — and her detailed account of how she learned to counter that with internal conviction — is a rare moment of specificity in Bollywood's often vague mental health discourse. Her 'Janata Janata' self-correction and the phrase 'self-flagellation for no reason' reveal an actor who has done real introspective work, not just PR-friendly candour.
Key Takeaways
Sara Ali Khan confirmed that social media trolling does impact her mental health, saying she would be 'lying' to claim otherwise.
She credits learning to work for herself — not just for audience approval — as the key mindset shift in her career.
Sara described 'mental guilt and self-flagellation' as real responses to criticism, and said putting in her best effort is what helps her move past them.
She acknowledged this realisation came late in her career .
Sara's next release, 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do' , directed by Mudassar Aziz , arrives in cinemas on 15 May , co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana , Rakul Preet Singh , and Wamiqa Gabbi .
Actress Sara Ali Khan has candidly addressed the psychological toll of social media trolling, admitting that online criticism does affect her — while also revealing the mindset shift that has helped her navigate it. The 'Atrangi Re' star spoke about the subject ahead of the release of her upcoming film, 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do', releasing on 15 May.
Sara's honest admission on mental health
Asked whether social media comments impact her mental well-being, Sara did not shy away from the truth. 'I'll be lying if I say I don't get affected. I do get affected because ultimately, I, you know, do what I do for my audiences, and if I disappoint them, I don't feel good,' she said.
The actress acknowledged that audience validation has always been central to her sense of purpose as a performer. However, she noted that experience has gradually taught her to balance external opinion with internal satisfaction.
The mindset shift that changed things
Sara elaborated on how she has evolved in her relationship with public perception. 'I think for very long the initial focus was, and it'll always be, I said Janata Janata and I meant that. The focus will always be the audience. But if you truly start enjoying your work, you enjoy the process, and you tell yourself, not in a lie but in a genuine way, that I have done my best — that absolves you of any sort of mental guilt and self-flagellation for no reason,' she explained.
She added: 'Then you feel like, I did my best, I did as much as I could, and now it's up to God. That gets easier if you put in your best, and then that's it.' Sara acknowledged she arrived at this realisation relatively late in her career — a reflection that many younger actors in the industry are likely to relate to.
The broader conversation on celebrity mental health
Sara's remarks come at a time when conversations around mental health in Bollywood have become increasingly prominent. Several prominent actors have spoken about the pressures of online scrutiny, and the industry has seen a growing number of public figures advocate for psychological well-being. Sara's willingness to be specific — naming guilt and self-flagellation as real responses — adds nuance to a conversation that often stays surface-level.
Notably, Sara has been one of the more candid voices in Hindi cinema on personal struggles, having previously spoken about her battle with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) and mental health in earlier interviews.
What's next for Sara Ali Khan
On the work front, Sara Ali Khan is set to appear in the romantic comedy 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do', alongside Ayushmann Khurrana, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film is scheduled to hit cinema halls on 15 May. The film marks another mainstream outing for Sara as she looks to consolidate her position in the industry on her own terms.
Point of View
Nor does she perform resilience. The distinction she draws between working for audiences and working for oneself is a meaningful one in an industry where box-office verdicts are often treated as personal judgements. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is the structural dimension: the same social media ecosystem that amplifies trolling also amplifies the parasocial affection Sara says she values. Bollywood's mental health conversation will remain incomplete until the industry addresses the platform mechanics, not just individual coping strategies.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sara Ali Khan get affected by social media trolls?
Yes, Sara Ali Khan has confirmed that social media criticism does affect her. She said she would be 'lying' to claim otherwise, adding that disappointing her audience makes her feel bad.
How does Sara Ali Khan cope with online trolling?
Sara says she has learned to balance audience focus with working for herself. She believes that genuinely putting in her best effort — and acknowledging it honestly — helps absolve the mental guilt that comes with public criticism.
What is 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do' and when does it release?
'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do' is an upcoming romantic comedy directed by Mudassar Aziz. It stars Sara Ali Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi, and is set to release in cinemas on 15 May.
Has Sara Ali Khan spoken about mental health before?
Yes, Sara Ali Khan has previously spoken publicly about personal health struggles, including her battle with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD). She has been one of the more candid voices in Bollywood on personal well-being.
What did Sara Ali Khan mean by 'Janata Janata'?
Sara used the phrase 'Janata Janata' — a reference to her audience — to emphasise that her primary motivation as an actor has always been the public. She noted, however, that over time she has also learned to value her own creative satisfaction alongside that audience connection.
