Whenever we think of Bollywood’s new generation of actors, Sara Ali Khan instantly comes to mind. She’s talented, grounded, and refreshingly real. Someone who balances stardom with simplicity. Despite being the daughter of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, Sara’s journey hasn’t been without its share of stress, self-doubt, and personal battles.
In an exclusive interview with The Financial Express, the Love Aaj Kal actor opened up about her go-to stress busters, the small rituals that keep her grounded, and how she learned to embrace herself.
Finding calm in the chaos
For Sara, wellness isn’t just about working out or eating clean, it’s about finding balance. “To me, wellness is about aligning your mental, emotional, and physical energy in a way that feels sustainable,” she told The Financial Express. “With hectic schedules, I’ve realised it’s the small, consistent rituals that make the biggest difference,” she further said.
And one of those rituals starts right in the morning. “My morning shower is my little moment of calm,” she says. “It’s when I pause, breathe, and reset before the chaos begins,” she further said.
Sara swears by Moisturising Bars with Japanese Hokkaido Milk by Fiama, calling it her mini escape. “I genuinely love how refreshing and comforting they feel. The creamy lather, the subtle fragrance, it’s a small luxury that helps me feel recharged and ready to take on the day.”
‘Dancing is my go-to stress buster!’
When life gets stressful and in Bollywood, that happens quite often, Sara turns to something that instantly lifts her spirits: movement. “I genuinely believe physical activity is one of the best mood-lifters,” she says. “Whether it’s a good Pilates session, which I absolutely love, or just dancing it out in my room to my favourite songs, it changes my energy completely,” she further added.
For Sara, dance isn’t just fitness, it’s therapy. “It’s fun, expressive, and honestly, a full workout without feeling like one,” she said.
She also tries to focus on being present through journalling and spending time with my family. “Those little moments help me pause and reset. So my advice? Move your body, find what brings you joy, and never underestimate the power of a good dance break!” she said.
Living with PCOD and finding self-love
Sara has been open about her struggles with Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), a condition that affects many women her age. It brought mood swings, weight gain, and low energy, but she refused to let it define her.
“I make it a priority to practice self-care and focus on my mental well-being every day,” she says. “Maintaining weight is a journey that requires commitment, so I focus on eating balanced, wholesome foods and keeping my portions in check,” she further said.
She credits Pilates and Yoga for helping her manage symptoms and stay in tune with her body. “Mindful eating has been a game changer for me,” Sara explains. “It allows me to savour my meals without guilt or overeating.”
But beyond fitness and food, she focuses on self-acceptance. “Above all, I believe in the power of self-love and positivity. It’s such an important part of this journey,” she says.
‘Progress, not perfection: Sara’s mantra’
Like anyone on a health journey, Sara admits there were moments of frustration. “Of course, there were times I felt low or doubted myself,” she says. “When progress felt slow, I reminded myself why I started, it was never about fitting into a dress or a role. It was about feeling stronger and healthier.”
She learned to shift her mindset from restriction to care. “Once I started noticing how clean eating and staying active made me feel calmer and more confident, everything changed. It stopped being about ‘I can’t have this’ and became about ‘this makes me feel good.’”
Sara says that being part of social initiatives has helped her think more deeply about emotional well-being. “It’s a beautiful reminder to pause, reset, and make space for yourself every day,” she says. “Well-being isn’t a destination; it’s something you practice a little bit every single day,” she further said.
What Sara would tell her younger self?
Sara’s journey hasn’t just been about outer transformation; it’s been deeply emotional too. Looking back at her younger self, the girl who once struggled with body image and insecurities, she says she’d offer compassion instead of criticism.
“There was a time I felt trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts about my body,” she shares. “It affected my self-esteem and mental health in ways I didn’t even realize,” she further said.
The turning point came when she started addressing mental health openly. “It’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to ask for help,” she says. “That realisation changed everything for me. It taught me that taking care of your mind is as important as taking care of your body.”
Over time, she learned to embrace her body with kindness. “I started focusing on how I feel, not just how I look,” she says. “That shift helped me build a healthier, happier relationship with myself,” she said.
Today, Sara uses her platform to speak up about body positivity and mental well-being. “I want people to know it’s okay to be imperfect,” she says. “Don’t let societal standards make you question your worth. Your value isn’t defined by your size, your skin, or your struggles.”
The calm within the chaos
From performing intense scenes on set to juggling endorsements, Sara’s life is full of motion. Yet, she always finds time for small, grounding rituals like her morning shower, a quick dance session, family time, journaling, or just a moment of stillness.
“Honestly, it’s those simple things that keep me centered,” she said. “Every day is a new chance to feel good,” Sara says. “And I truly believe when you take care of yourself, everything else starts to fall into place,” she said.
Her journey from battling PCOD and body image issues to becoming one of Bollywood’s most admired young stars is proof that real strength isn’t about perfection. It’s about finding oneself.