Sumbul Touqeer on guarding privacy: ‘Not everyone gives positive energy’
Synopsis
Imlie star Sumbul Touqeer is pushing back on always-on celebrity culture, saying she shields her personal life because ‘not everyone gives positive energy'. The Bigg Boss 16 alum says social media has trained users to chase validation through likes — and that real peace comes from logging off and reconnecting with the self.
Key Takeaways
Sumbul Touqeer , known for Imlie , said privacy is ‘very important' and she avoids posting too much online.
The actress cited her belief in ‘energies', saying not everyone consumes a celebrity's life with positive intent.
She warned that social media has made users seek validation through likes and comments.
Sumbul called endless scrolling an ‘addiction' that fuels a fear of missing out.
She was last seen in Itni si Khushi alongside Varun Badola and Rajat Verma .
Television actress Sumbul Touqeer, best known for her lead role in Imlie, has opened up on why she deliberately keeps her personal life off social media, citing her belief in ‘energies’ and the need for emotional boundaries in an always-on digital culture. The Kavya – Ek Jazbaa, Ek Junoon actress said she shares only what she is comfortable with, and that some moments are ‘meant to be lived, not shown’.
Why she chooses privacy
Speaking in a recent interaction, Sumbul said, ‘Privacy is very important for me. I don't like to share everything on social media because I feel not every person has the same intention while seeing your life. I believe a lot in energies, and not everyone gives positive energy. That's one of the reasons I avoid posting too much.'
The actress, who rose to prominence with Imlie before going on to feature in Bigg Boss 16, said staying connected with fans matters, but the bond has to be ‘thoughtful'.
On validation and self-worth
Sumbul argued that social media has nudged users into chasing approval without realising it. ‘Social media has somewhere made us seek validation without even realising it. But I feel your worth cannot depend on likes or comments. If you are at peace with yourself, you don't need constant reassurance from the outside,' she said.
Her remarks land at a moment when several young Indian television and film stars — from Alia Bhatt to Sara Ali Khan — have spoken about scaling back their digital footprint, citing mental-health concerns and trolling fatigue.
The scrolling trap
Addressing the compulsive nature of feeds, the actress called it an ‘addiction'. ‘It has become an addiction for many of us. Sometimes you don't even realise how much it affects your mind. You start feeling like you are missing out, even when you are not,' she said, adding that ‘peace comes when you disconnect a little and reconnect with yourself'.
What's next for Sumbul
On the work front, Sumbul Touqeer's credits include Imlie, Kavya – Ek Jazbaa, Ek Junoon and Bigg Boss 16. She was last seen in Itni si Khushi, which also featured Varun Badola, Rajat Verma, Sachin Chaudhary, Atharv Padhye, Ayesha Vindhara, Gauri Tonk and Rishi Saxena.
The actress has not yet confirmed her next project, but her measured social-media stance suggests any announcement is likely to come on her own terms.
Point of View
If quiet, pushback within the Indian TV industry against the always-online expectation set by streaming-era PR playbooks. For a generation of actresses who came up through reality formats like Bigg Boss — where visibility is the currency — choosing restraint is itself a brand statement. The real test is whether the industry's algorithm-driven casting calls will reward that restraint, or quietly penalise it.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Sumbul Touqeer avoid posting on social media?
Sumbul Touqeer says privacy is very important to her and that ‘not every person has the same intention' when viewing a celebrity's life online. She added that she believes in ‘energies' and prefers to share only what she is comfortable with.
What did Sumbul Touqeer say about social media validation?
She said social media has conditioned users to seek validation without realising it. According to the actress, self-worth ‘cannot depend on likes or comments' and inner peace removes the need for constant external reassurance.
Which shows is Sumbul Touqeer known for?
Sumbul Touqeer is best known for the television show Imlie, and has also featured in Kavya – Ek Jazbaa, Ek Junoon and Bigg Boss 16. She was last seen in Itni si Khushi.
Who else stars in Itni si Khushi alongside Sumbul Touqeer?
The show features Varun Badola, Rajat Verma, Sachin Chaudhary, Atharv Padhye, Ayesha Vindhara, Gauri Tonk and Rishi Saxena alongside Sumbul Touqeer.
