Bollywood singer Akriti Kakar shares how she keeps herself physically and mentally fit

There are some songs that make you move and groove, every single time! Think of numbers like Saturday Saturday (from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania) and Iski Uski (2 States) — feel like breaking into a dance? Well, so do we! That’s the magic of Bollywood singer Akriti Kakar’s powerful voice. She’s one of the most talented singers in the film industry, and every time she comes out with her songs, we just can’t help but get impressed! While her reel life is much talked about, not many know about her ‘real life’. 

In an exclusive chat with Health Shots, Akriti tells us all about her coping mechanism to stay physically and mentally fit as a celebrity, the impact of social media on her mental health, and more. 

Coping during the pandemic

The negativity brought on by covid-19 has impacted people from all quarters. The case is similar with Akriti, who has been having sleepless nights, especially during the second wave of the pandemic. 

“It’s been really hard to cope this time around. With such negativity and sad news pouring in every day from all around or losing extended family members, it’s been tough. To follow a schedule was out of the question, but I didn’t beat myself up for it. I slept when I felt like, ate what I felt like, worked out for a few days religiously, but couldn’t continue. I also joined a group of friends, who were selflessly donating ration kits to hundreds of families in need across the country,” she adds. 

Akriti also leaned on guided meditation for mental peace. There were days when she did her riyaz, only when she was up for it! Deep cleaning the house and spending time with her parents and puppies has also helped her in a big way! 

Healthy eating as a celebrity

As a celebrity who’s constantly under the arclights, it’s important to be physically and mentally fit. But it’s also not as easy as it seems – especially because of a packed schedule. Akriti has managed to strike the right balance. 

Here’s how, “I try to make the right choices on most days, especially when I travel, since the sleep cycle gets messed up too. What I don’t overlook is my water intake each day. Hydration is so necessary for my voice to be in the right state. But then I cheat often too, I mean what’s the point of working so hard when you travel to such great places and not try local cuisines?,” she says. 

Akriti is a self-confessed foodie, and she loves to experiment with various cuisines! Even if she goes overboard, she makes it a point to balance it out later. 

Social media and mental health

With a surge in social media, the access to celebrities has grown in a big way. But being under the scanner can get really hard sometimes. That’s why Akriti tries to do a social media detox for a few days, every now and then.

“More than often I find myself picking up my phone to open social media apps without realising. During this lockdown, I didn’t feel like posting much on Instagram. I was so consumed with sourcing medicines and beds for whoever was in need, including my own family in Delhi. During the days I would not post, my fans would get worried and my engagement would drop,” she explains. 

But Akriti believes this will impact someone, if there’s great pressure to be active all the time. 

“I’ve always given my state of mind more importance than what I’m expected to do. I’m transparent as a person, and I like to keep it like that on social media too,” she says.

Like other celebrities, Akriti has also faced trolling. Although it would trouble her initially, she got accustomed to it after a point. Today, it doesn’t really affect her.

“There will always be people who won’t be happy with what you do, no matter how hard you try to be perfect. They’ve commented on everything from my lipstick shade to hair to saying another Kakar ! The ratio of good comments to trolls would be 7:3.But then when I read positive comments, where people have told me what my song means to them or how I inspire them, it makes me sleep peacefully at night,” she says.

A word of advice

There are so many women who look up to Akriti, and want to be like her. Here’s what she wants to say to them, “I listened to my heart’s voice a few years after I started my career. But they say it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing. I just want to tell you to have your own voice ! Never shy away from truly being who you want to be…young, old, tall, thin, big, or tiny should not matter. What you do should speak ! And remember, there will always be more people who’d like to pull you down than the ones who will cheer for you. The ones who cheer for you deserve your focus,” she concludes.