Kannada actor Anjali Anish believes the culture of constant online visibility has changed how audiences perceive film stars, saying many actors today are losing the sense of “mystery” that once surrounded cinema personalities.
Currently working on Ananta Padmanaabha alongside Rishi and Prakash Raj, Anjali reflected on fame, rejection, mental health and the pressure of social media in a recent conversation about life in the film industry.
‘The Silence After a Film Is Difficult’
Speaking candidly about the emotional highs and lows of acting, Anjali said film sets often create an environment filled with constant attention and validation, making the silence afterward difficult to process.
“When you’re on a film set, you receive so much attention and validation all the time. Then suddenly you go home, and there’s complete silence. That shift is very hard to handle,” she said.
The actor admitted that earlier in her career she viewed acting as everything, but over time she learned not to tie her entire self-worth to professional success.
“I genuinely used to think this industry was everything. But now I realise it is not worth losing your mental peace over,” she shared.
Anjali added that being selective about projects sometimes means spending long periods away from work, something she initially struggled with mentally.
However, she said growing older and dealing with rejection has helped her become emotionally stronger and more trusting of “divine timing.”
‘Actors Are Losing Their Mystery’
Anjali also spoke about the growing influence of social media in the entertainment industry and how it has changed audience relationships with celebrities.
“I’m Gen Z, but I still miss the mystery around actors,” she said.
The actor explained that she personally enjoys knowing very little about performers outside their on-screen work because it helps audiences believe in the characters they portray.
“As an audience member myself, the less I know about an actor’s personal life, the easier it is for me to accept them as a character on screen,” she explained.
According to Anjali, modern celebrity culture often pushes actors toward constant self-promotion and overexposure online.
She stressed that visibility alone is not enough and should be supported by meaningful work.
“I can do 10 films a year or post reels every day, but it also needs substance. The right visibility is important,” she said.
Choosing the Right Projects Matters
The actor also reflected on the importance of working in healthy creative environments.
“As an actor, sometimes you’re just dying to work. But if you’re not doing the right project or working with the right people, even being on set doesn’t feel great,” she noted.
For Anjali, the “right project” includes not only a good script but also a supportive team and positive atmosphere.
She added that observing the careers of fellow actors helped her understand how unpredictable visibility and fame can be in cinema.
“I’ve realised that even doing a big film doesn’t always give you the result you hoped for,” she said.
Rather than fearing uncertainty, Anjali now sees it as an opportunity to experiment and grow creatively.
‘Women in Cinema Are Judged for Everything’
Anjali also addressed the pressures faced by women in the film industry, saying actresses are constantly judged for their appearance, film choices and social media presence.
“Actresses are judged a lot for the films they do, the clothes they wear, or even what they post online,” she said.
While acknowledging that appearance remains an important aspect of the entertainment business, she said female characters should still be written with emotional depth and substance rather than existing only for glamour.
“Not every story needs a woman at the forefront all the time, but female characters should have substance,” she added.
As conversations around celebrity culture continue evolving in the digital era, Anjali Anish’s perspective highlights the growing debate over visibility, authenticity and mental well-being in modern cinema.
