The recent episode of Koffee With Karan featured Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Panday – two friends who had a lot to say about each other. Of course, there was gossip and fun games, but there were some real moments, as well. For instance, Sara Ali Khan talking about deriving her personality from her past, is something that stayed. She opened up about being a certain way when she talks, because she hasn’t been able to see herself as a woman who deserves things that she wants.
The conversation started after Karan Johar mentioned the impact of social media and how people are constantly focused on celebrities’ looks. Sara Ali Khan said: “I feel that I was large for such a large part of my life, that the way I looked was not a defining factor for my confidence.” She talked about her past, and how that still remains the defining factor for her personality. A lot of what she said in the episode, is relatable for a lot of women. She added, “I was always more proud of my personality, the things that I can say or my interests.”
She mentioned that when she says a lot, or uses humour to divert a conversation, it’s because that’s how she recognizes herself. This is something that happens to a lot of women, when they’re TOLD that they don’t fit in the conventional beauty standards. They steer away from conversations that are about them being put in spotlight. Using humour as a defense mechanism or just cracking self-deprecating jokes is a common habit. It’s a repercussion of a low self-esteem that is instilled by a society that’s obsessed with ‘beauty standards’.
The actor also mentioned that she wants a fuller life now, which is more than just getting into a relationship – where she doesn’t want to settle for just anything, anyone.
“Beneath this loud exterior, there’s just a girl who’s afraid of asking for what she thinks she deserves.”
She also talked about how she doesn’t say what she wants out loud, because it might come across as something that she cannot get. This is when she knows that she deserves it. So many times, women refrain from saying things, because it’s put in our minds that we shouldn’t ask for much. We start our sentences with, “I don’t want to bother you,” or “I’m not sure if I’m right.” It’s hard to watch that so many of us, who know that they deserve better, can’t say it because we’re worried that people will find it funny.
This episode was a reminder to be a little less harsh on ourselves, as women. Because in the end, the world doesn’t care – we’re all we have.
